Asbestos ban from Jan 1

by Asela Kuruluwansa

The import and the local manufacture of asbestos roofing sheets will be banned from January 1 next year, following scientific confirmation that asbestos contain carcinogenic properties injurious to health, said President Maithripala Sirisena, at the conclusion of the Parisarika Sathkara program at the President's House in Kandy yesterday (29).

Addressing the gathering, President Sirisena said many developed countries have already banned the use of asbestos due to its seriously negative impact on health.

"Today, cancer is causing many deaths in the country and the pollution of the atmosphere is the main reason for this. The proposed ban will be imposed strictly and it is a step towards improving the health of the nation," the president said.

"Although I was the Minister of Health, adequate support was not always available to me, to make decisions in the interest of our people. Regulations in this regard will be formulated shortly and strictly implemented,' he added.

In addition, fresh regulations will be introduced to ban the use of polythene also from January 1," the president said.

At present, there is a ban on the use of a certain category of polythene.