The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has urged the Supreme Court to ensure that charges currently imposed on shopping bags are directed to the government’s Environmental Conservation Levy Fund, rather than private accounts.

The case, taken up on Friday (15), stems from concerns over the widespread use of shopping bags and single‑use plastics such as polythene, which contribute heavily to environmental pollution.

In 2020, following a petition by CEJ, the Supreme Court ordered a complete ban on the free distribution of shopping bags. The Court also directed that if bags are provided, a price must be set according to their size. As a result, the current system charges Rs. 3.00 and Rs. 5.00 per bag.

However, CEJ argued that under the Environmental Conservation Levy Act, such charges must be credited to the government’s levy fund. At present, private shop owners and supermarkets are pocketing the money, meaning no funds are collected for conservation.

CEJ told the Court this practice violates existing law and infringes on the fundamental rights of the public. The case was heard before Supreme Court Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, and Sampath Wijeratne, who scheduled the next hearing for November 3, 2026.

At the hearing, CEJ requested that while charges should remain in place, “the money should not go into private accounts. Instead, it must be credited to the government’s Environmental Conservation Levy Fund established by law.” The organization asked the Court to order a mechanism ensuring funds are remitted to the state.

Respondents named in the case include Finance Minister (President) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Minister of Environment, the Central Environmental Authority, and the Consumer Affairs Authority. Senior Counsel Dr. Ravindranath Dabare and Counsel Sawanthi Ponnamperuma appeared for the petitioners, under the guidance of Attorney‑at‑Law Nilmali Wickramasinghe. (Newswire)

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