The Central Environment Agency (CEA) said today it would prohibit the use of polythene lunch sheets, styrofoam and shopping from September this year (2017).

The move comes on the heels of continued protests by residents against the dumping of non-degradable garbage in their areas, for fear of a repeat of the incident in Meethotamulla.

In Meethotamulla, on April 14, a section of 300ft garbage dump dislodged burying residents and destroying homes; As many as 32 lives were lost in the incident.

The CEA said the move was aimed at providing a solution to the increase in accumulation  of non-degradable waste.