Unlike in many of its Asian neighbours, Sri Lanka is very fortunate that it does not yet have acute air quality problems in its cities as a result of industrial expansion and increases in vehicular traffic. In Sri Lanka, the region which is most vulnerable is the Western Province (includes the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha) namely the Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) which encompasses the country's administrative capital, Kotte and its financial capital, Colombo. Found within the borders of the CMR is 80% of the country’s industrialisation and over 60% of all vehicles plying Sri Lankan roads.
The other hot spots are the Kandy town area and in Puttalam-where the cement factory is located. While air pollution in Colombo City appears presently to be at manageable levels, projected rates of economic and vehicular growth could result in air quality becoming adverse all too soon. Of the four sectors contributing emissions from petroleum derived combustion sources (Transport, Industry, Power & Commercial and Household) approximately 75% of the pollutants released to the air (SPM, SO2, NOX, HC, CO) originate from the transport sector with emissions from other sectors, with one exception, being fairly low. That exception is sulphur dioxide where the industrial sector accounts for nearly 93% of the total emissions.
The National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) (1998-2001) addresses the problems of air pollution under different sections such industry, energy and mineral, and environmental health. Within the urban areas of Sri Lanka, solid wastes, degradation of waterways, loss of wetlands are some of the major environmental concerns.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island nation situated in the Indian Ocean. The total land area is 65600 km2. The climate is moderate and uniform and depending on the altitude the temperature ranges between 16oC – 35oC. There are two major monsoon periods where rain falls mainly in the western and eastern slopes of the island. The annual rainfall ranges from 2500-5000 mm. The average rainfall during southwest is less than 3500mm and during the northwest is less than 1300mm.
Sri Lanka is predominantly an agricultural country but is rapidly becoming industrialised. Presently about 66% of the population live in rural areas and the main source of income comes from agricultural activities. However, after the liberalisation of the economy 1977, the government adopted a rapid industrialisation policy that resultant in increase human migration into the CMR area and also increase in energy demand. The current hydroelectric power production, which has reached a saturation point, is around 4000 GWh annually. While over 95% of the country’s electricity requirements in 1995 were obtained from hydroelectricity, the scenario has rapidly changed during the last few years where thermal power plants have taken over the generation of around 30% of the national requirement. Already several diesel-fired power plants are in operation with an installed capacity of 405 MW. The power requirements are expected to double over the next decade. To meet the increased energy demand the preferred option of the government appears to be the installation of coal fired power plants. Thus a 150 MW coal power plant is proposed to be commissioned around 2002. More coal power plants will come into operation in the future and the projected installed capacity of thermal power plants by the year 2010 is expected to reach 2200 MW.
Motor vehicle numbers have been increasing at around 6% annually during the last two decades. Over 60% of all motor vehicles are registered in the CMR and it is this causes the air quality problem. A particular concern is the increase in diesel powered vehicles. The import of diesel fuel increased by about 25% over the period 1991-1995 while from 1995 to 1996 the increase has been a phenomenal 60%. This is particularly due to the operation of new diesel power plants. Sri Lankan produced diesel has a higher concentration of sulphur compared to other countries in the region. Nearly 99% of petrol vehicles use leaded gasoline which have the potential of causing health problems in the city.
Because of the small size of the country and prevailing winds there is the distinct possibility of emissions carrying acidic precursors getting transported away from their points of generation. Thus, although most of the emissions are generated in CMR they could easily get transported out, especially to the hill country areas and into the ocean.
Compared to all the other provinces, CMR is considered the most polluted area in the island. Degradation of the water bodies and uncontrolled dumping of solid waste are considered some of the major causes of pollution within the area. There are only about 300 high polluting industries in Sri Lanka. Among these nearly 60% are textile and garment washing plants which cause mainly water pollution.
For comparison the following table gives a summary
of some data comparing CMR and the national statistics.
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| Total Population (1994) | 4,640,500 | 17,600,000 |
| Projected Population (2010) | 6,500,000 | 21,000,000 |
| Urban Population (1994) | 66.4% | 33.5% |
| Annual Average Growth Rate (1981 –1994) | 1.41% | 1.4% |
| Annual Average Growth Rate (1981 –1994) | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Population Density (1994) person/Ha | 35 | 3 |
| Land Extent (Ha) | 369,360 | 6,561,000 |
| GDP in 1995 (Rs. million) | 174,257.6 (44.12%) | 394,958.3 |
| Industrial Establishment | 2,316 (83%) | 2,770 |
| Vehicle Ownership per 1000 population – 1992 | 61 | 33 |
| Solid waste generated (t/d) | 1800 | |
| Solid waste Collected (t/d) | 1000 | |
| Water & Sanitation % covered | 50.4% |