|
President's second term inauguration:
Over 1 m saplings to be planted
Chandra ATHTHANAGODA and Suraj A. Bandara
As part of the events to mark the inauguration of the second term of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his birthday, 1.1 million saplings will
be planted on November 15.
"This islandwide tree planting campaign will be held on November 15
to mark the second term inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,"
Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told media chiefs at the
Environment Ministry yesterday.
"This will be a nationally important occasion to Sri Lanka," he said.
Explaining the objective of this national event, the Minister said
this decision was taken to make the public aware about the importance of
preserving the country's rich vegetation.
"Due to the 30 year conflict our flora and fauna was severely damaged
and neglected.
It is now time to pay serious attention on the natural environment
and make Sri Lanka an environment friendly country," he added.
Sri Lanka is a prominent among countries practicing conservation.
Therefore, this project will be success as most Sri Lankans love
their natural environment, he said. Responding to a question by a
journalist, he said planting 1.1 million trees will be a Guinnes world
record feat .
No records have yet been found that any country has planted such a
large number of trees at once, he said.
Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said all Government
and private institutions together with schools in the Central province
have pledged their fullest support to this national task. They are
collecting saplings to be planted and make the Central province people
aware about the importance of the campaign.
According to a Mahinda Chintana policy pledge, Sri Lanka would be
made a green country soon. The Government is endevouring to make this a
success. This is the first step in achieving this goal, he said.
North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Sabaragamuwa
Province Chief Minister Maheepala Herath and Environment Ministry
Secretary S. Samarathunga also participated. |
