Sri Lanka, April 9 -- A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the immediate introduction of a regulated levy on single-use polythene bags, along with a structured mechanism to promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

The petition, bearing No. SCFR 53/2026, was filed on April 8, 2026, by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) along with environmentalists Hemantha Withanage and Dilena Pathragoda. It urges urgent legal intervention over the environmental and health impacts caused by single-use plastic and polythene products.

The petition highlights that while plastic bags and food packaging are widely used due to their low cost and convenience, they pose long-term environmental hazards. It notes ...