The objective of this policy is to incorporate the cleaner production concept and practices into all development sectors of the country. To implement the policy sectoral policies were developed for health and tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain good air quality to reduce morbidity due to air pollution and in turn reduce national health expenditures.

The policy on biosafety set the overall framework in which adequate safety measures will be developed and put into force to minimize possible risks to human health and the environment while extracting maximum benifits from any potential that modern bio technology may offer.

The policy aims to promote the sound management of Sri Lanka's environment balancing the needs for social and economic development and environment integrity. It also aims to manage the environment by linking together the activities, interests and perspectives of stakeholders and to assure environmental accountability.

The policy was drawn up to provide clear directions for safeguarding the remaining natural forests of the country in order to conserve biodiversity, soil and water resources. In accordance with the policy, the forests under the jurisdiction of the FD is being reclassified and placed under four management systems ranging from strict conservation, non-extractive use, management of multiple use forests for sustainable production of wood and management of forests with community participation.

The elephant has been so closely associated with Sri Lanka's history, culture, religions, mythology and even politics that it would be difficult to imagine the island without it. Therefore the present policy was developed to ensure the long-term survival of the elephant in the wild in Sri Lanka through the mitigation of the human-elephant confect.

This policy statement reflects Sri Lanka's constitutional, international and national obligations, including the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, the National Environmental Act of 1980, the Coast Conservation Act of 1981 and other relevant legislation, regulations and policy statements. It defines the commitment of Government, in partnership with the people, to effectively manage the construction-sand resource for the benefit of present and future generations.

In view of various environmental problems arising out of inadequate delivery of waste management services by the relevant agencies, the Ministry recognized the need for a national approach to handle this serious issue. Accordingly, a National Policy for Solid Waste Management has been prepared to ensure integrated, economically feasible and environmentally sound solid waste management practices for the country at national, provincial and Local Authority level.

The main objectives of the policy are (a) to ensure environmental accountability and social responsibility of all waste generators, waste managers and service providers (b) to actively involve individuals and all institutions in integrated and environmentally sound solid waste management practices (c) to maximize resource recovery with a view to minimize the amount of waste for disposal and (d) to minimize adverse environmental impacts due to waste disposal to ensure health and well being of the people and on ecosystems.

The "Pilisaru" national solid waste management program has been articulated to translate this National Policy into actions. Accordingly, a three year Action Plan aimed at achieving short term strategic goals of the Policy has been formulated and commenced implementation. In order to ensure integrated implementation mechanism of the Policy, a national Apex Body entitled "the National Platform for Solid Waste Management' has been established with the view to provide overall guidance, national coordination and financial and technical program facilitation through resources mobilization.

This policy seeks to give effect to National Environment Policy and other relevant national policies, while respecting national commitments towards relevant international conventions, protocols, treaties and agreements to which Sri Lanka is a party.