The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday said that it will appoint a committee of experts to prepare a national policy and an action plan on the use of polythene, plastic and bio-degradable plastic in Sri Lanka.

"There is an increased use of plastic and polythene related products in the society and improper use, disposal and burning of these products have caused many social, environmental, health and economic issues," Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilleke said.

At a media briefing, the minister said that the daily per capita use of polythene was about 0.5 kg and about five hundred thousand (500,000) tons of polythene materials were imported to Sri Lanka annually.

He added that some countries in the world had completely prohibited the use of polythene and some had allowed to use selected plastic products.

"Considering the need of controlling environmental impacts caused by polythene and the fact that a numerous employees are engaged in plastic and polythene related industries, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to appoint a Committee of Experts to prepare a national policy and an action plan on the use of polythene, plastic and bio-degradable plastic in Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers," Karunathilleke said.

(Xinhua)