July 07, 2025
Colombo, Sri Lanka | 7 July 2025 – The Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Mr. Norbu Wangchuk, along with senior officials of the organization, paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment of Sri Lanka, held a fruitful meeting with officials of the Ministry at the Environment Complex in Battaramulla.
During the meeting, the Director General expressed appreciation to the Hon. Minister for Sri Lanka’s continued leadership in addressing climate change and environmental challenges, both at the national level and within the South Asian region. He noted Sri Lanka’s active engagement in regional and international environmental negotiations and acknowledged the country’s pioneering role in promoting collaborative action.
The discussions emphasized the urgent need for strengthened regional cooperation, given the transboundary nature of many environmental threats such as climate change impacts and pollution. Both parties agreed that addressing these challenges requires collective efforts that transcend national borders.
Hon. Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi,commended SACEP’s role in advancing regional environmental governance and encouraged the organization to continue prioritizing issues that demand joint action. In particular, the Minister highlighted the importance of continuing the regional campaign against plastic pollution and urged SACEP to extend technical and policy support to member countries in tackling air quality – another major transboundary concern in South Asia.
The meeting further acknowledged the importance of SACEP’s work across key thematic areas including waste management, air quality, marine affairs, and biodiversity. The Hon. Minister encouraged SACEP to consolidate and scale up these efforts to meet the rising demands of the region.
The visit marks a reaffirmation of Sri Lanka’s support to SACEP and its evolving mandate as a regional institution advancing environmental and climate action across South Asia.
