The ban imposed on the production, distribution and sale of all types of non-biodegradable lunch sheets will come into force from today.
The Ministry of Environment imposed the ban due to the environmental damage caused by the use of non-biodegradable lunch sheets.
Subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said raids will be conducted from today to apprehend all persons who violate the regulation.
He said due to the use of non-biodegradable lunch sheets river systems and other waterways are polluted excessively.
Minister Amaraweera said nearly 12 to 15 million lunch sheets are disposed to the environment on a daily basis.
According to the Environment Ministry, Sri Lanka is the only country that uses lunch sheets at present.
Although lunch sheets decompose in the soil within two to three years, it has been scientifically proven that the micro-plastic particles that accumulate in the soil as a result of lunch sheets last for more than 200 years.
Accordingly, the government has banned the production, distribution and the use of non-biodegradable lunch sheets from the 1st of August.
Supermarket chains will also be allowed to sell only biodegradable lunch sheets from next month.
Minister Amaraweera said no ban has been imposed on the use of lunch sheets produced through biodegradable material.
