The Ministry of Environment (Sinhala: පරිසර අමාත්යාංශය; Tamil: சுற்றாடல் அமைச்சு) is the cabinet ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka with oversight of the environment and the Mahaweli Development programme, as well as the general development of the Mahaweli River, its environs and communities living within defined 'Mahaweli development zones'. Effective 1 September 2017, the ministry banned the use of polythene with a thickness of under 20 microns for use, sale or distribution, as well as the use, sale or distribution of polystyrene food containers and utensils.