National Environmental Act 1980

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

A central authority for protecting and managing the environment

In plain English

Not legal advice

The National Environmental Act sets up a central environmental authority. It sets out the powers, functions and duties of that authority. It also provides for the protection and management of the environment.

Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 13 Oct 2026.

Official translation, read from a scanFrom Department of Government Printing's scanned PDF, read by OCR; may contain errors

s 1Short title and date of operation,

This Act may be cited as the National Environmental

Act, No. 47 of 1980 and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may appoint by Order published in the

Gazette,

Part I

Establishment of the Central Environmental Authority and an Environmental Council

Read on from Part I

Part II

Powers, Functions and Duties of the Authority

Read on from Part II

Part III

Staff of the Authority

Read on from Part III

Part IV

Environmental Management

Read on from Part IV

Part V

General

Read on from Part V