Sri Lanka ranks 50th in a list of 149 countries graded according to their environmental performance.
The country’s relatively good “green” score is the result of a growing awareness of environmental issues among a public that is increasingly turning to nature-friendly alternatives, said Anura Jayatilake, director of the Climate Change and Global Affairs Division of the Climate Change Secretariat.
According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2008, Sri Lanka scored 78.8 in Environment Health and 80.3 in Ecosystem Vitality. The EPI is a joint effort by two American universities: Yale (Yale Centre for Environmental Law and Policy) and Columbia (Centre for International Earth Science Information Network).
The 2008 EPI uses 25 indicators in its grading system. Grading is done under the categories of Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Climate Change.
Mr. Jayatilake said Sri Lanka’s annual carbon emission level of 1.6 tonnes per person was safely below the global upper limit of 2.1 tons per person. He said vehicles and urban area-based industries were the main contributors to carbon emissions. A committee, subject to Cabinet approval, has been appointed to look into environment-friendly fuel alternatives.
“Hybrid vehicles will be introduced to the country very soon,” Mr Jayatilake said. “These vehicles can run on less fuel and rechargeable batteries, thus reducing environment pollution. Measures are being taken to reduce the tax on such vehicles,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan consumer is showing a healthy interest in natural products. “In shops and department stores you see people turning more and more to eco-friendly products. Signs like this are encouraging. Every consumer, in his or her small way, can help the country get a better EPI ranking in the future,” he said.
With the establishment of the Sri Lanka Carbon Fund in January this year, the country will become an active participant in the global “emission/carbon trading market”. The Fund, which reflects world concern over potential climate change, is currently educating small, medium and large-scale private sector companies and institutions in carbon management.
Meanwhile, Marine Pollution Prevention Authority chairman Ranjith Kularatne said preventive action should be taken to control marine pollution.
“Ninety-five percent of marine pollution is caused by land-based activities, especially by polluted water flowing into the sea,” he said. “Only 10 percent of marine pollution is caused by accidents involving ocean-going vessels. Sri Lanka should be more aware of this problem.” Mr. Kularatne said the newly revised Marine Pollution Prevention Act has been put before Parliament for approval. | 
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