Where are we now? Not where we want to be. The success and failure in the implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity in Sri Lanka

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Where are we now? Not where we want to be. The success and failure in the implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity in Sri Lanka

  K.A.A.N Thilakarathna¹, Maj H.S.D Mendis², Ms. Nisanka Jayarathna^3
1. Lecturer in Law, Institute of Human Resource Advancement, University of Colombo.
^2. Head of Department, Military Law, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
^3. Senior Lecturer in Law at the Department of Legal Studies, Open University Nawala Sri Lanka

Abstract:- Environmental as a concern of the mankind emerged in the 1960s after the rapid infrastructural developments that were carried out after the World War II. The immediate aftermath of the war meant that countries had to work twenty-four seven to improve their man-made physical environment that was devastated by the war. However, during this period environmental concerns were not on the agenda, and it was only after sometime that humans began to be vigilant about the destruction that they have caused to the environment through their activities which was highlighted in the writing of Rachel Carson in her book titled ‘The Silent Spring’. In looking at this issue from a Sri Lankan perspective, it too has suffered major setbacks regarding losing her environmental beauty and the lost of biodiversity which she is renowned for. This paper examines the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity which was ratified by Sri Lanka in the early 1990’s and the extent to which the objectives of the convention has been achieved from a Sri Lankan perspective. This study was carried out primarily as a qualitative data, while an in-depth interview was also carried out with a high-ranking officer of the Ministry of Environment, Center for Biodiversity protection, a responsible organ for implementing the convention. The results revealed that, while laws and policies have been introduced at implementing the core elements of the convention, lack of coordination, overlapping of responsibilities, political interference and corruption has resulted in a failure of successfully implementing the convention even after nearly three decades of ratification.

Key Words: Environmental Law, Environmental Policy, Biodiversity

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