Report of Strategic Environmental Assessment for Northern Province launched

After the end of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, development activities have started all over the country. In order to make these development efforts in a sustainable manner, decisions have to be made, considering all the environmental, economic, social and physical factors.

Based on prior experience, the Central Environmental Authority with several other institutions has already finished Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for Hambantota, Trincomalee and Gampaha Districts and the Northern Province. Report on Strategic Environmental Assessment for Northern Province will be launched by Minister of Environment Anura Priyadarshana Yapa on 26 May 2011 at the Galadari Hotel. Financial support for this SEA was given by the UNDP. The main objective is to develop an information data base together with the Disaster Management Centre.

The CEA in collaboration with several other institutions has prepared Strategic Environmental Assessments for Uva and Central Provinces in order to guide development of those areas in an environmental friendly manner.

This SEA hopes to identify strategic places for development in land utilisation in the Northern Province.

Environmental sensitive areas like forests, water catchment areas, mineral resources and other important resources will be identified and possibility of using them in development process and infrastructure development in a sustainable manner will be assessed. Various environmental problems may arise in any part of the country. Therefore, studies are required to identify those issues and to make long term solutions.

Charitha Herath chairman CEA stressed that SEA will help guide development of Sri Lanka in an environmental friendly manner according to modern trends of development. CEA hopes to strengthen this programme with the active participation of other partner institutions.