Diya Dhaharai- Thuru Viyanai to beautify city
Disna MUDALIGE
The 'Diya Dhaharai- Thuru Viyanai' program was launched yesterday to
create a better urban environment by planting trees in all water
retention areas and water ways in the Colombo district while cleaning
all water ways.
As the first step of this program a tree plantation campaign to plant
1,000 saplings was implemented on the sides of Diyawanna oya on the
initiative of Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Central
Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Charitha Herath.
The first phase of this program includes a five Kilometre distance
from the Nawala Naval base to Battaramulla. It is proposed to allow the
road network after reserving a three metre forest cover on the sides of
lake.
The Minister noted that the Kirulapone waterway which flows from
Wellawatta to Battaramulla was renovated and a public transport service
was commenced under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa. The public has also been given opportunities to engage in
various aquatic sports at this lake.
"Diya Dhaharai- Thuru Viyanai' program is not just another tree
plantation campaign, but it will also facilitate people living in urban
cities to relax and enjoy while creating natural beauty. We have to
maintain these areas.
For that we have given consideration to take the contribution of
commercial institutes" the Minister said.
Under this program the banks of these waterways will be made
attractive to tourists and urban cities will be made environmental
friendly.
The Navy, Urban Development Authority, Land Reclamation and
Development Corporation, State Timber Corporation, Coconut Development
Authority, Sri Jayewardenepura Municipal Council, Forest Conservation
Department and Nawala Open University are supporting this project.
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