Implementation of National Biosaftey Awaraness Program

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement signed in 2000 that aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to protect biodiversity and human health. Sri Lanka signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2003 and ratified it in 2005. In order to implement the provisions of the protocol, Sri Lanka developed a National Biosafety Framework (NBF) that was finalized in 2008. The policy outlines the objectives, principles, and strategies for the management of GMOs, while the Biosafety Act provides the legal framework for the regulation of GMOs in the country. The regulations specify the procedures and requirements for the import, export, and use of GMOs.A workshop series was oragnaized by Agricultral Biotechnology Centre with colloboration FAO and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Enviornment was hel

d in 2019 for O/L and A/L school students and for University students. The knowledege on Implememtaion of National Biosaftey Framework in accordance with the Caragena Protocol was discussed.