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'Nurturing environment, form of gratitude to President'

The unique traits in our culture helped immensely in building the personality of President Mahinda Rajapaksa into its present form similar to a heavily branched, massive tree. Nurturing our environment with a view to making it richly verdant and opulent would be one other form of gratitude shown to the President. All the people of this country should unite in building up an environmental-friendly society, Parliamentary Affairs Secretary to the President Kumarasiri Hettige said.

Hettige was participating as chief guest at a ceremony to mark the birthday and the anniversary of the assumption of office by the President. The ceremony was held at the National School, Kotapola where 3,000 saplings were planted and wheelchairs donated to the disabled.

Hettige said we are commemorating two major events of the life of a great person. "You are all aware of the prevailing situation in the country when Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as President of this country. Anarchy had a field day and the people were living in fear and despondency. When the country was floating towards disaster, he gave leadership to rescue the people. His astute leadership helped in freeing the motherland from the scourge of terrorism that had engulfed the nation for over three decades. We will never forget the manner in which the common people of this country danced in jubilation, waving national flags on hearing the news of the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran", he said.

"The President was the architect of this victory, because he could rally round the members of the three Security Forces and the Police in achieving this victory. Prabhakaran had issued the death warrants on the Rajapaksa family including the two brothers Gotabhaya and Basil.

We are free today due to the brave decisions taken in spite of all these threats. Who could forget these?," he asked.

He said the world that had then cast aspersions on us, welcome us warmheartedly today. "We are being given due recognition by the world community as members of a nation that eradicated terrorism which was considered the most powerful terrorist outfit in the world.

"It is with great warmth and gratitude that expatriates keep photographs of the President at their residences."

"It is our bounden duty to realistically commemorate the birth anniversary of such a great leader. We must give life to his vision for the building up of a successful nation. Even though we have achieved independence we have to face many challenges. We are today enjoying an economic growth of eight percent. The mega projects including the highway projects and other infrastructure development would make this country a prosperous nation in the coming days. All this development would be in vain if we are unable to create a suitable environment to live. The warming up of the earth is a problem faced by the entire world today. The dangers to the environment and ecology would affect millions and millions all over the planet. Millions of species are facing the danger of extinction. According to the latest statistics, 50,000 species of animals are facing extinction due to the destruction of forest cover."

The percentage of carbon dioxide has increased to 75 percent, and the increase in fuel consumption is the main reason for this situation. A single individual produces nearly 2.3 tons of carbon dioxide per year and the globalization has its ill effects on the environment.

The developed world is looking back at their journey towards development to ascertain whether they have tread the correct path. Massive layers of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic zones have melted due to the increasing global warming. The water levels have increased causing havoc to maritime nations, with the ultimate threat of extinction. It has been estimated that Bangladesh would lose more than 33 percent of their cultivable land. The main culprits behind all this tragedy are humans. Seventy percent of the animals living on the land are occupying the forest cover", he said.

Hittige said, one of the main objectives of the Mahinda Chintana programme is the building up of a society which loves the environment. "Our civilization and culture developed hand in hand with nature and environment. The greatest naturalist of all time was the Buddha. The main landmarks in his life had close affinities with nature. Even His enlightenment to Buddhahood was connected with the physical environment.

"The nature is our legacy and it is a grave crime and sin to degrade the environment. The President is a true creation of mother nature. Intermingled with rivers, streams, plants, trees and the like his personality grew in statue day by day. Being a product of the nature he is a true patriot", he said.

Referring to tree planting Hettige pointed out its value and knowledge gained through it.

Planting trees is a meritorious deed as it is going to benefit the future generation. Therefore, it is the duty of the elders to encourage the younger generation in planting trees, everywhere, suitable conditions are available for tree planting. In this regard he quoted the President's statement where he said that only those who planted a tree could claim himself to be a true patriot of the nation. The President made this statement on the occasion of the National Tree planting ceremony held recently.

"The importance of such statements has to be considered in the context of those only clamouring for increase in salaries and other benefits without rendering useful service to the country. It is a sign of a great person to be sensitive in respect of one's duties and responsibilities rather than the rights", he said.

Matara DIG Hector Dharmasiri, addressing the gathering pointed out the damage caused to the environment during the three decades when the country was under the threat of terrorists. "We have build up from scratch and the President is giving the necessary leadership in this regard", he said.

Divisional Secretary Senaka Palliyaguruge, also pointed out the value of the environment and the need to protect it. The Secretary, Sasanarakshaka Balamandalaya, Matara Ven. Paraduwa Jinarathana, Ven. Talangalle Punnasara Thera, Ven. Kongahadeniye Sumana Thera and a number of educationists from the areas including A. J. Amarakoon, Principal, Nilwala College of Education participated. The ceremony was organized by the Kumarasiri Hettige Foundation.

 

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