Deputy Minister of Defence Co Chairs Progress Review Meeting on Marine and Coastal Resource Protection

A progress review meeting on the protection of Sri Lanka's marine and coastal resources was held on 05 August at the Ministry of Environment to assess ongoing measures aimed at preventing environmental pollution and strengthening the protection of the country's fishery harbours and surrounding islands.

The meeting was co chaired by Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Hon. Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Anton Jayakody, and Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

The discussion reviewed the progress achieved since the inaugural meeting held in May this year, with particular focus on the implementation of decisions taken to address environmental challenges affecting coastal areas and enhance security arrangements at fishery harbours across the island.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the joint committee established following the initial discussion. Chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, the committee brings together representatives from the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Fisheries, and Tourism, alongside key stakeholders from both governmental and non governmental institutions. Its primary aim is to coordinate and strengthen national efforts to advance sustainable coastal and marine conservation.

Following the directives from HE the President, the discussion focused on identifying security gaps and developing practical recommendations to improve safety and environmental protection at fishery harbours. Participants stressed the need for better waste management systems, oil and chemical spill preparedness, fire prevention measures, and stronger action against other environmental threats to the coastal ecosystem. The joint committee, is to prepare a comprehensive action plan to outline priority environmental concerns and propose sustainable solutions to address them.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from key stakeholder institutions, including the Chief of Staff and senior officials of the Sri Lanka Navy, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, the Director of the Marine Division of the Sri Lanka Police, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation. Senior officials of the Ministry of Environment and its affiliated institutions, including the Director General of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, together with representatives from the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Department of Forest Conservation, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, also participated in the discussion.