Minister stresses on sustainable development

Suraj A Bandara

Sustainability in development should be achieved by preserving the environment, and the public-private cooperation is of paramount importance in this regard, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

He was addressing the 15th Annual General Meeting of the Electrical and Engineering Society (EESoc) of the Moratuwa University at Galadari Hotel recently. The minister was speak- ing under this year's theme, the future of renewable energy for power generation: Are we on the right track, noted that policymakers, especially educated individuals such as engineers should take responsibility in protecting the environment.

"At a time when power generation is in crisis, it is timely to discuss and review the future of renewable power generation in Sri Lanka," he said.

The government has the responsibility and duty to preserve the environment for the future generation, he added. The minister being a product of the Moratuwa University said, university has been instrumental in producing talented professionals in all disciplines of engineering. Student bodies will reinforce the university's mission by striving to mould young undergraduates into academically sound and socially intelligent individuals, he said. Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya addressing the AGM said that as Sri Lankans they can be proud because Sri Lanka is among the top 20 countries that produce electricity with renewable energy.