The Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) conducted a mission from 25th November to 16th December, 2024 as part of the KOICA "Formulation of Mid to Long-term projects based on KOICA’s climate action program for Sri Lanka" to carry out a preliminary survey for the identified project, "Establishing Circular Economy System of Electronic Waste in the Western Province, Sri Lanka (2026-2030/USD 22 million).“
The mission team, consisting of 13 members including PM Hong-Min CHUN, FM, PAO, YP, action research expert, and sectoral experts (2 in e-waste, 1 in EPR, 2 in construction, 1 in IT, 1 in energy, and 1 in electric vehicle batteries), evaluated local situation and conditions for the project, government capacity and commitment, and strategies for harmonizing with the private sector.
Starting with a Project Development Committee (PDC) meeting, KDS held discussions with the Ministry of Environment(MOE), the Central Environmental Authority(CEA), and the Western Province Waste Management Authority(WP-WMA) to understand the readiness and plans for Sri Lanka's e-waste policies and regulations, ultimately agreeing on institutional measures for effective e-waste management. Additionally, to establish strategies for co-prosperity with the private sector, KDS visited Clean Tech, Sri Lanka’s largest recycling company, to review its status and capacity and to explore potential collaboration opprtunities.
The team also visited potential sites for building e-waste management infrastructure to understand construction conditions and met with local construction firms to analyze capabilities in design, construction, supervision, and cost estimates. Furthermore, the team outlined the required interfaces for implementing an effective e-waste statistics system and conducted meetings with the Ceylon Electricity Board(CEB), the Sustainable Energy Authority(SEA), Lanka Electricity Company(LECO), and GGGI to examine conditions for solar panel-based charging infrastructure, permitting requirements for electric trucks for e-waste collection, local capacity, and power infrastructure status.
On December 11, 2024, a launch event for the "KOICA Climate Change Response Program for Sri Lanka (2026-2030)" was held with the participation of key stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Environment, Environmental Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board, USAID, ADB, UNDP, and GGGI. The event featured opening remarks by Myung-Jin Kim, the head of the KOICA Sri Lanka office, congratulatory speeches by the Ministry of Planning and UNDP, a presentation of climate change response strategies by the Ministry of Environment, and a program presentation by Yong-Hwan Kim, Deputy Director of KOICA Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government and KOICA Sri Lanka office expressed gratitude to KDS and its partner, Skills International, for their efforts in formulating the program.
KDS plans to develop a Project Document (PD) based on the preliminary survey results and continue supporting Sri Lanka's response to climate change.
