National Wetland Policy and Strategy, 2006 (Sri Lanka)

The National Wetland Policy and Strategy aims to ensure the protection of wetlands and carry out sustainable development in the country, in view of the continuous pressures on wetlands such as unauthorized filling, waste disposal, pollution, clearing of natural vegetation and spread of invasive species. 

The objectives of this policy are: 

• To protect and conserve wetland ecosystems
• To prevent illegal utilization of wetlands
• To restore and maintain the biological diversity and productivity of wetlands
• To enhance ecosystem services from wetland habitats
• To assure sustainable use of wetlands and traditional practices by local communities
• To meet national commitments as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The policy seeks to be aligned with and give effect to the National Environment Policy and other relevant national policies, while respecting national commitments towards relevant international conventions, protocols, treaties and agreements to which Sri Lanka is a party, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (1971); the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992).