The conference themed “A country sans the use of hazardous material, sustainable development and a virtuous country” was aimed at creating awareness for the top managements of private sector organizations about Safe and Secure Management of Hazardous materials.

Participants at the first day of the conference discussed the adverse effects caused to humans due to the contamination of water, air and soil and environmental pollution as a result of human activities.

Netherland's Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) resource persons from Malaysia and The Hague with OPCW students from Poland, Tunisia and the representatives from more than 150 Lankan companies and government regulatory bodies are taking part in the sessions.

At the event, a special message by the President Maithripala Sirisena that stressed the need for support for Sri Lanka's kidney patients was read out by the Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi.

Funds collected from the sale of tickets of the Project launched for the eradication of the kidney disease was handed over to Director of the Kidney Disease Project Asela Iddawela.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Commerce T.M.K.B. Tennekoon and Chief Manager of the Holcim Company Randiva Malalasuriya as well as many local and foreign representatives were present at the conference.

The conference will conclude today.