COLOMBO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Central Environmental Authority (CEA) announced that, under a new regulation effective from Nov. 1, 2025, plastic shopping bags made of low-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene will no longer be issued free of charge to consumers.
According to the directive published in the Government Gazette on Oct. 1, 2025, traders are required to display the price of such bags prominently at their business premises and include the cost clearly on customer bills.
The regulation has been issued with the aim of reducing the excessive use of single-use plastics and encouraging environmentally responsible behavior.
The CEA stated that the measure seeks to promote the use of reusable bags among the public and minimize environmental damage caused by disposable polythene waste. Consumers are urged to carry reusable shopping bags to support the national effort toward sustainable consumption.
