PREFACE

As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) Sri Lanka is obliged to implement the articles of the CPB and develop its own national regulatory framework for the safe transfer, handing, use and release of genetically modified organisms and products resulting from modern biotechnology.

The National Biosafety Framework, a system of legal, technical and administrative mechanisms established under the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources has been set in place to address these issues. A National Policy on Biosafety will be an important element of this framework and will provide for safe application of modern biotechnology, and ensure that no adverse effects would result on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the country as well as human health and environment.

With a view to developing a National Biosafety Policy for Sri Lanka the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources appointed a National Sub-Committee comprising of representatives from government departments, universities and institutions involved in research and development, national policy, environmental, legal and safety issues and industrial aspects of biotechnology. The mandate of the sub-committee was to examine and review policy instruments on Biosafety in other countries and prepare a draft policy suitable for the Sri Lankan situation.

The National Sub-Committee comprised of the following persons.

Dr. M.C.N. Jayasuriya (National Science and Technology Commission) - Chairman

Prof. A.L.T. Perera (Project Coordinator, National Biosafety Framework Development

Project, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources)

Prof. G. Widanapathirana (University of Kelaniya)

Ms. S.P.D. Rukshanthi (Agriculture Biotech Centre, University of Peradeniya)

Prof. Sirimalee Fernando (University of Sri Jayawardenepura)

Dr. Everad Jayamanne (Coconut Research Institute)

Ms. Gayathri Gunaruwan (The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce)

Dr. C.K. Shanmugarajah (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare)

Dr. Kumudu Fernando (Department of Agriculture)

Mr. Gamini Gamage (Director Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources)

Mr. Jagath Gunewardene (Attorney-at-Law)

Mr. D.M.G.P. de Silva (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources)

Mr. G. Piyasena (Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)

The draft document prepared by the National Sub Committee was discussed at several forums, discussion sessions, seminars and workshops, and having considered the opinions of various individuals, scientific bodies involved in biotechnology research and development and non-governmental organizations has now been finalized.

The proposed National Policy on Biosafety covers, the need for a national policy for Sri Lanka, policy objectives, policy principles and policy statements. It does not include policy strategies; but these will have to be developed once the policy statements have been accepted in principle by the government.