The Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has proposed that the Ministry of Environment take the initiative to produce environmentally friendly paper bags as a replacement for polythene (sili sili) bags.
The proposal was made during a Committee discussion on plans to charge a fee for silk bags at the point of purchase. Committee Chairman MP Hector Appuhami questioned whether the proposed charge would effectively reduce the use of polythene and asked officials how the fee amount was determined. Officials clarified that the relevant Gazette notification did not specify that consumers should pay for silk bags.
The Committee met in Parliament on 10 and 12 November 2025 to review the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources, and the Ministry of Environment. Annual reports and performance reports of several institutions were also considered and approved.
The meeting was chaired by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, with participation from MPs Gnanamuttu Srinesan, Roshan Akmeemana, Chathurie Gangani, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj, and legal experts Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, J.C. Alawathuwala, Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Senasinghe, and Upul Kithsiri.
