'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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