Ministry celebrates Environment Day

CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

World Environment Day, 2009 will be marked with national celebrations consisting of environmental exhibitions, marches and awareness rallies, said Environment and Natural Resources Minister Champaka Ranawaka.

World Environment Day which falls on June 5 will be commemorated under the theme “Your Planet Needs You - Unite to Combat Climate Change”, the Minister said. Ranawaka said, the Ministry has arranged to celebrate the World Environment Day (WED)at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo to be presided over by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka. The celebrations begin on June 5 at 10 am, he said.

Of the programs to be launched by the Environment Ministry, an exhibition and Trade Fair ‘Soba 2009’ to be held at the Vihara Maha Devi Park on June 4, 5 and 6, will be a major attraction, where manufacturers of environment-friendly products will display a variety of items, ministry sources said.

An Environmental Film festival opens at the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo in view of WED 2009 on June 4 at 9 am. A workshop will follow the event, sources said.

An environmental photographic exhibition organised by the Central Environment Authority will be held at National Art Gallery Colombo on June 4, 5 and 6.

The winning photographers of the exhibition will receive Green Awards and Certificates from Minister Ranawaka. The Environment Ministry is planing to hold a ceremony to appreciate the work of environmental journalists at the Mahaweli Centre.

Minister Ranawaka said they have organized environmental marches and awareness programs at district and divisional levels to seek the public support for protecting the environment. The Ministry has also taken measures to hold a number of environmental programs at schools islandwide, the Minister said.