The government has appointed a committee to assist polythene manufacturers, people engaged in polythene related packaging, polythene wholesale merchants and others affected by the ban on polythene to look for alternatives, the government announced yesterday (23). 

Addressing the press at the Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department it said  the proposed ban on the import, production and use of polythene of several categories would go ahead as scheduled on September 1, despite protests by those affected. 

On July 12, the Central Environmental Authority imposed a ban on several polythene products in an attempt to find sustainable solutions to solid waste management. 

The issue came to fore when a section of the 300ft garbage dump at Meethotamulla collapsed on residences on April 14, killing over 30 people.