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This report explores and analyses the governance framework (i.e. policies, laws, and regulations) relevant to urban food waste (FW) prevention and reduction in the wholesale, retail, hospitality (restaurants, hotels), food services (schools, hospitals), and households in Sri Lanka. The project "Innovative approaches to reduce, recycle and reuse food waste in urban Sri Lanka" was implemented from June 2019 to August 2021 under the oversight of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Sri Lanka generates around 7 000 tonnes of solid waste per day. From the total solid waste generated, approximately 65–66 percent, by weight, is organic waste. The proportion of food waste (FW) generated in a local authority (LA) area ranges from 50–69 percent of the total waste with an average of 56.56 percent. According to this average value, the estimated total FW generated in the country is around 3 955 tonnes per day. The country faces many challenges in tackling the FW issue also due to gaps in governance.

Governance analysis allows a comprehensive understanding of state and non-state challenges and solutions towards FW prevention and reduction. Currently, the governance framework for food safety and quality and (bio-)waste management is under the umbrella of the central government, provincial council (PC), and local authorities (LAs). Additionally, several central and provincial government agencies perform tasks related to (bio-)waste management. Under the 13th amendment made to the constitution of 1987, LAs are under the purview of PCs. The PCs are responsible to help and guide the LAs in the execution of waste and sanitation-related activities. The PCs are empowered to make all decisions on capacity building, resource allocation, adoption of provincial-level policies, and establishing appropriate institutional arrangements to handle the delegated tasks of waste management.