'Deyata Sevana' Tree Planting Program

N P Rajadurai-Ratnapura special corr.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. But the forest cover has been reduced to 25%.

The tree planting under the 'Deyata Sevana' program held on the occasion of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's second term of Office swearing in, is to increase the forest reserves areas in this country. The Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs W D J Seneviratne, said when he initiated the tree planting campaign at Pompakele Reserve organized by the Ratnapura Divisional Secretariat and Ratnapura Municipal Council.

The National flag, environmental flag and the provincial flag were hoisted by Minister John Seneviratne, Ratnapura Mayor J M Chandradasa Jayasinghe and Ratnapura District Secretary H W Gunadasa.

The students of Ratnapura Sumana Balika National School sang the environmental song and at 10.07 am the tree planting took place.

Minister Seneviratne added that the environment is polluted due to the use of diesel and coal. 'Grow more trees' is one of the devices to protect the environment, he said.

The President has completed his first term after five years and is commencing his second term having wiped out terrorism from this country.

To celebrate this occasion we have decided to avoid extravaganza and have the tree planting ceremony which will not cost us much. The society and the country will benefit greatly from the trees.

Ratnapura Bodhi Rajaramadipathi Ven Shastravedee Panditha Mawala Sumana Thero, Ratnapura Mayor Chandradasa Jayasinghe, Deputy Director, Central Environment Authority R M S Rathnayake also spoke.