The government will ban the purchase and use of single-use plastic water bottles in all state institutions from May 31, 2026, under a special circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
The circular, signed by the Ministry Secretary, directs heads of state institutions to take action to prevent the use of single-use plastics within their premises from the effective date, NewsFirst reported on Tuesday. The directive covers central government departments, provincial councils and local government bodies.
The move expands existing restrictions on single-use plastics and follows repeated warnings from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) about the proliferation of single-use plastic waste during religious and public events. The CEA had earlier this month warned against the use of plastic and polythene during the Vesak season.
The circular did not specify enforcement penalties or alternatives for water provision at state offices, but officials are expected to issue further operational guidelines ahead of the May 31 cut-off. Reusable bottles, water dispensers and bulk-supplied drinking water are the typical replacements adopted by ministries in similar prior restrictions.
The new ban dovetails with a broader push under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework being prepared for plastic packaging, and follows last year’s prohibition on a range of single-use plastic items used in food service and retail.
