President urges considering environmental protection when constructing power plants

President Maithripala Sirisena has put forward a cabinet proposal suggesting that environment and health protection should be considered when constructing power plants of non-renewable energy sources.

The President had submitted this proposal for approval in keeping with UN climate change agreements signed in Paris by Sri Lanka in 2015.

The countries which signed the agreement had pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in 2030 when compared to 2020.

Accordingly, the President had suggested that environmental protection, people’s health, and greenhouse gas emissions be considered when constructing power plants between 2020 and 2030.

Mr. Sirisena had also proposed that all decisions taken with regard to power plants between this time frame must take heed of global environmental laws and the recommendations issued after scientific environmental tests.

The proposal has been taken into consideration by the ministerial cabinet.