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by Sarath Malalasekera

President of Ruk Raka Ganno Nirmala de Mel, offering a plant- during the “Environment Week” - to N.G. Kamalawathie at the Disabled Women’s Association, Talawa.

The Nuwarawewa Resthouse and Tissawewa Resthouse, Anuradhapura recently held an "Environment Week" the first of its kind in Anuradhapura.

It is refreshing to know that there are entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka that use their skills not only to promote their business but also use their own resources to develop the community.

With this in focus the staff of the two resthouses in Anuradhapura went about on an environment awareness program. They had in mind the children of the community primarily but also incorporated the decision makers to promote this new concept of "Environment Week," said the Hotel's General Manager, Colvin S. Abeynaike.

A workshop on environment entitled "Individual contributions to environment can count" was held at Nuwarawewa Resthouse, Anuradhapura.

'This was a very worthwhile and educational workshop which made all who attended more aware of the environment and why we must look after our little corner of the world for its preservation for the future generations.' These words of Ven. Hemaratne Nayake Thera of Ruwanwelisaya touched a sensitive chord in the keynote address entitled "Buddhism and the contribution to the preservation of the environment."

The Managing Director Quickshaws and President of Ruk Raka Ganno hands over a gift parcel during the “Environment Week” to the Vice Principal of the St. Joseph College, Anuradhapura.

An aspect of the awareness programme was an exhibition of children's paintings and essays, on the environment from children of Anuradhapura schools, held at the Tissawewa resthouse. The best entries from the schools were given prizes. An exhibition of the environment was held at the Nuwarawewa resthouse which was open to the public. This was by Eco Volunteers and the Environment Foundation Limited and Chakara (Pvt) Limited, said the Hotels General Manager.

Planting of trees in schools had organised during the week and talks given to schoolchildren to make them aware of the environment and how each contribution can serve a useful purpose. Ruk Raka Gano joined the resthouse staff in this project, he said.

The Hotel General Manager said that distribution of plants were special places included - School for Differently Abled Children in Saliyapura and the Disabled Women's Association in Talawa. The staff of the two resthouses in Anuradhapura were particularly keen to draw these children too, to the fold. They visited these 'Homes' in their off hours spending quality time with the children giving them some moments of happiness, the Hotels General Manager added.

Tissawewa Resthouse Manager H.S. Sheriff waters a mango plant planted by Dr. Johnpulle at Walisingha Harischandra College, Anuradhapura.

Hotels General Manager, Colvin Abeynaike emphasised that "we have in Anuradhapura preserved our monuments for several centuries. This is a contribution to environment that the people of Anuradhapura have made and what we can be proud of. We are proud to talk about it and let the rest of the country follow this example. Our religion and our culture through our ancient kings have thought us how to preserve our natural beauty in the environment.

It is hoped that with more and more awareness programmes such as these, will be supported by business houses to make the environment healthy- Nuwarawewa and Tissawewa Resthouses are committed to continue contribution their might to preserve the environment, culture and our monuments, the Hotels General Manager said and added that the two Resthouses- Nuwarawewa and Tissawewa - hope to continue this great work entrusted to us.

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