Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrema Perera has instructed the officials to strictly follow the new rule to prevent pollution as well as the harmful effect on animals.

The minister after visiting the Mirijjawila Wildlife Park during the weekend, instructed the ministry secretary to strictly enforce the ban on the use of plastic and polythene shopping bags to protect wildlife and reduce litter, pollution and overall waste.

Pointing out to the litter and pollution at Mirijjawila, the minister told his officers that such bans should not be confined to just warning boards and action should be taken to enforce it in the strictest manner possible.