Implementing the National Biosafety Framework in Sri Lanka

First Project Steering Committee Meeting The Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) 10:00AM 31st October 2017 Ministry of Mahaweli Development an Environment No 416/C/1, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha, Battaramulla

Agenda Agenda Time Activity Address by the Chairman Mr. Anura Disanayake - Secretary, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment 10:00 10.10 Self-Introduction Members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) 10.10 10.20 Introduction to the Project Mrs. Pathma Abeykoon (National Project Director), Director Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment 10:20 10:30 10:30 10:40 Review of the ToR (Terms of Reference) of the PSC Presentation on Project Work Plan and Budget, Establishment of Technical Expert Group (TEG) Mr. Shanaka Gunawardena National Project Manager (NPM) 10.40 11.40 11.40 12.00 Discussion 12.00 Wrap up of the meeting lunch (packets) will be provided

Introduction to the project Introduction to the project Sri Lanka adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to protect the biodiversity in the country by signing [in 1992] and ratifying [in 1994] the CBD. As a supplementary to the CBD, Sri Lanka signed [in 2000] and ratified [in 2004] the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to bring adequate protection to the environment, biodiversity and human health from potential harm that could result from LMOs (living modified organisms). Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment functions as the focal point to the CBD and CPB. The following documents were resulted from the National Biosafety Framework Development project in 2005 National Biosafety Framework National Policy on Biosafety

This project: This project: Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol accordance with the Cartagena Protocol Implementation by: Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Technical Support through: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Funding by: Global Environment Facility (GEF) GEF allocation 2,365,964 Co-financing 2,958,327 Total Budget (USD) 5,324,291 Sectoral Competent Authorities 1 Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Department of Health 2 Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Department of Wild Life Conservation 3 Ministry of Agriculture Department of Agriculture 4 Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 5 Ministry of Rural Economy Department of Animal Production and Health 6 Ministry of Industry and Commerce

U Up p to to now now Project Kick-off meeting (25-July-2017) Formation of PMU National Project Manager (17-July-2017) Operations Assistant (02-August-2017) Driver (28-August-2017) Program Assistant (16-October-2017) Inception Workshop (28/29-August-2017) Inauguration of the project with other stakeholders Revision of Workplan and Results Framework Vacancy announcements for the following consultants were posted Biosafety Policy Development - International Biosafety Policy Development - National Legal Matters - National

Documents to be reviewed Documents to be reviewed Revised Work Revised Work Plan Plan Annual Work Plan & Budget Annual Work Plan & Budget 2017 & 2018 2017 & 2018 Revised Revised Results Framework Results Framework

Technical Expert Group (TEG) Technical Expert Group (TEG) Name Designation & Affiliation Experience Qualifications # Expert in environmental law and intellectual property rights related to biological diversity. 26 years of experience. Mr. Jagath Gunawardena 1. Attorney-at-law 2. Diploma [Agriculture] Attorney-at-Law 1 Expert in plant pathology, plant virology, biotechnology and genetics 32 years - Research experience - the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka 2 years - Administrative experience - the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka 1. Ph.D. [Plant virology / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology / Genetics] 2. M.Sc. [Plant Virology, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology] 3. B.Sc. [Agriculture (Honours)] Principal Agriculture Scientist - Biotechnology Additional Director - National Plant Quarantine Service, Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Gannoruwa Dr. Jayantha Senanayake 2 Dr. Amitha Bentota Director - Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda Expert in plant breeding. 33 years of experience. 1. Ph.D. [Genetics and Plant Breeding] 2. B.Sc. [Agriculture] 3 Director (Research, Planning, and Development) Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, Colombo 5 Expert in genetic testing including GMO testing (ISO 17025). 20 years of experience. Dr. Siddhika Senaratne 1. Ph.D. [Biochemistry] 2. B.Sc. [Chemistry Sp. (Honours)] 4 Director - Department of Science National Institute of Education (NIE), Maharagama Mr. Premalal Uduporuwa Expert in Science education. 35 years of experience. 1. M.Sc. [Forestry] 2. B.Sc. [Biology] 5 Expert in Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Marker Assisted Selection, Seed Certification, Plant Genetics and Quarantine. 35 years of experience. 1. Ph.D. [Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Seed Science and Technology] 2. M.Sc. [Crop Science] 3. B.Sc. [Agriculture (Honours)] Additional Secretary - Agriculture Technology Ministry of Agriculture, Sri Jayawardanapura Mw, Rajagiriya Dr. Keerthi Hettiarachchi 6 1.M.Phil. [Veterinary Science] 2. M.Sc. [Poultry Science & Technology] 3. B.V.Sc Director - Animal Health, Department of Animal Production and Health, No 13, Getambe, Peradeniya" Dr Nimal Jayaweera Expert in animal production and health. 25 years of experience. 7

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