Sri Lanka’s Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980 and the National Policy and Action Plan on Prevention of Suicide of 1997 are among the five inspiring and impactful laws and policies that won the Future Policy Award 2021.
The Award, often referred to as the ‘Oscar on Best Policies’ celebrates the most effective policy solutions that minimise the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and the environment. The above two policies from Sri Lanka have contributed to one of the greatest decreases in suicide rates ever achieved in the world. They have saved about 93,000 lives over 20 years at a direct government cost of less than USD 50 per life.
The prize is awarded by the World Future Council and is organised this year in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with the support of the Michael Otto Foundation and the Jua Foundation.
For the sake of current and future generations,it is absolutely critical that stakeholders make the protection from hazardous chemicals a priority. Sri Lanka and the other winning policies show the way forward and are an inspiration for policymakers worldwide says Alexandra Wandel, Director of the World Future Council (WFC). The High Commission appreciates Prof.Michael Eddleston, Honorary Consul of Sri Lankan in Scotland for nominating Sri Lankan policies for this award and for all his efforts to gain international recognition to Sri Lanka.
The winning policies of the Future Policy Award 2021 will be celebrated at a high-level virtual Award Ceremony on July 6, 2021. To participate at the Award Ceremony and to learn more about the winning policies for the Future Policy Award 2021, visit www.worldfuturecouncil.org/chemicals.