All sub-projects
financed under the RERED Project are required to comply with World
Bank Operational and Safeguard Policies, in addition to conformity
with the environmental legislation of GOSL. Thus all sub-projects
are required to conform to:
The Environmental and Social Assessment
and Management Framework (ESAMF) adopted by GOSL and accepted
by the World Bank, and
The terms of the Central Environmental Authority
(CEA) as mandated by the National Environmental Act (NEA) of
Sri Lanka.
According to the CEA procedure, all sub-project proponents are required
to complete a Basic Environmental Information Questionnaire (BEIQ).
Upon reviewing the BEIQ, the CEA will determine whether any further
environmental analysis is required or whether the proponent should
prepare an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA). In addition to the CEA review, the Environmental
Assessment prepared by the proponent will be reviewed by an Environmental
Consultant for adequacy and compliance with the ESAMF. The Administrative
Unit (AU) maintains a panel of consultants for this purpose. All RERED
sub-projects except solar home systems and solar lanterns, require
a review and assessment by the Environmental Consultant.
Environment management plan
Based on the Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Framework,
project specific environmental assessments will be conducted once
sub-projects are identified. Considering the simplicity and small
scale of the proposed sub-projects, it is unlikely that any major
or irreversible environmental impacts will be encountered. Therefore,
the most important aspect of the EA will be the Environment Management
Plan (EMP). The EMP should be prepared and finalised by the project
proponent for each sub-project, taking into consideration comments
from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) during its review and
clearance process. The responsibility of monitoring the EMP rests
with the CEA, as mandated by the National Environmental Act of Sri
Lanka.
