National Environmental Policy (LK0034)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Sri Lanka Action Plan 2019-2021
Action Plan Cycle: 2019
Status: Active
Institutions
Lead Institution: Ministry in charge of Environment
Support Institution(s): Agencies under Ministry of Environment, Meteorological Department, Disaster Management Center, Institute of Policy Studies Related civil society organisations
Policy Areas
Environment and Climate, Public Participation, Public Service Delivery, Regulatory GovernanceDescription
Climate change challenges to be comprehensively incorporated in the National Environmental Policy and the Act in a participatory manner by the Ministry in charge of Environment
1st March 2019 – 31st August 2021
Lead implementing agency/actor Ministry in charge of Environment
Commitment description
What is the public problem that the commitment will address? Sri Lanka has been experiencing extreme weather conditions for the past decade or so and natural disasters such as prolonged droughts, flooding and landslides have become critical issues which are increasing with time. Climate related hazards are having a significant effect across the country, and particularly on poor communities in disaster-prone districts and the rural agricultural population. Loss of life and livelihood, property damage and displacement impose a strain on government finances which have been diverted to relief and recovery efforts at the cost of mid and long term development plans. Inappropriate planning processes where climate change aspects are not taken into consideration have led to the occurrence of some of the disasters. The existing National Environment Policy and the Act do not adequately address climate change concerns.
What is the commitment? The purpose of this commitment is to specifically address climate change aspects in the country’s National Environment Policy and Act and make recommendations for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Ministry in charge of the subject of environment will consult with all stakeholders to review and revise the current National Environmental Policy and Act to specifically address climate change aspects and make recommendations for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
How will the commitment contribute to solve the public problem? Recognizing that the existing National Environment Policy and Act do not adequately address climate change concerns, this commitment will undertake to revise these instruments to comprehensively address climate change issues. Given the dangers of climate change, this will provide high level policy prioritization for environmental protection and disaster management that will reduce impacts especially on the poor and the vulnerable. Further, those engaged in planning and decision making need to be aware of how the climate will change in short, medium and long terms in order to decide on ways to overcome difficulties and avoid disasters.
Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values? This commitment promotes public participation as citizens are given a voice in government policy making and opportunities to provide inputs to government decisions that affect their lives.
Additional information Sri Lanka has fulfilled all requirements under the Montreal Protocol and action plans are prepared to address SDG 13 and other goals that directly and indirectly influence climate change. Sri Lanka also signed and ratified the Paris Agreement which strengthens global response to the threat of climate change. This commitment also strengthens and promotes the implementation of the Disaster Management Act of 2005; the recommendations and commitments in the Draft Sustainable Sri Lanka: Vision & Strategic Path and the Vision 2025.
Blue Green Development Strategy for sustainable development?
Milestone Activity with a verifiable deliverable Start Date: End Date:
1. Conduct wide stakeholder consultations to review the existing National Environmental Policy to identify gaps and areas of improvement to address climate change adaptation and mitigation. March 2019 June 2019
2. Formulate a new National Environmental Policy that will comprehensively address climate change aspects in a participatory manner. July 2019 June 2020
Commitments
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Integrity Officers to Decrease Bribery and Corruption
LK0024, 2019, Capacity Building
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Asset Declaration System
LK0025, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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Increase Use of RTI
LK0026, 2019, Access to Information
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Citizen Participation in Health
LK0027, 2019, E-Government
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Campaign Against Youth Drug Use
LK0028, 2019, Education
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Open Data
LK0029, 2019, Access to Information
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Agriculture Support Policy
LK0030, 2019, Capacity Building
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Participation for Persons with Disabilities
LK0031, 2019, Land Rights & Spatial Planning
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Disability Rights Bill
LK0032, 2019, Legislation & Regulation
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Disaster Management Planning
LK0033, 2019, Capacity Building
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National Environmental Policy
LK0034, 2019, Environment and Climate
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CEDAW Implementation
LK0035, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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Local Service Delivery
LK0036, 2019, E-Government
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Feedback on Public Bus
LK0037, 2019, E-Government
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Implementing UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in a Participatory Manner
LK0038, 2019, Legislation & Regulation
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Improving Public Access to Preventive and Curative Strategies to Combat Chronic Kidney Disease
LK0001, 2016, Health
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Transparent Policy to Provide Safe and Affordable Medicines for All
LK0002, 2016, Capacity Building
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National Health Performance
LK0003, 2016, Capacity Building
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Ensuring Transparency and Impartiality in Teacher Recruitment Policy and Process in Sri Lanka
LK0004, 2016, Access to Information
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Enhance the Services of Government Information Center (GIC- 1919) for Inclusive, Transparent, Accountable and Efficient Governance, Using ICT As Enabler
LK0005, 2016, Capacity Building
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Promote the Open Data Concept and Delivering the Benefits to Citizens Through ICT
LK0006, 2016, Access to Information
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National Environmental Act (NEA) Amendments
LK0007, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Coast Conservation
LK0008, 2016, Capacity Building
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Flora and Fauna Protection
LK0009, 2016, Capacity Building
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Transparent and Accountable Procurement System for Local Authorities in Sri Lanka
LK0010, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Local Authority Procurement System Implementation
LK0011, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Annual Work Plan of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to Include a Transparent and Accountable Process to Implement Selected Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Concluding Observations.
LK0012, 2016, Gender
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CEDAW Implementation – Accountability
LK0013, 2016, Gender
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CEDAW – Inclusion
LK0014, 2016, Gender
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Strengthening Women Participation in the Political Decision Making Process at the Local Level
LK0015, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Strengthen the Anti-Corruption Framework to Increase Constructive Public Participation
LK0016, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Implement UNCAC
LK0017, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Coordination Among Anti-Corruption Agencies
LK0018, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Corruption and Money Laundering
LK0019, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Campaign Finance
LK0020, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Disseminate Asset Declaration
LK0021, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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The Enactment and Implementation of the RTI Act
LK0022, 2016, Access to Information
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Proactive Disclosure
LK0023, 2016, Access to Information