Love for environment ingrained in Sri Lankan psyche - President

Rasika Somarathna

The government which was able to lead the country on a path which upheld internationally laid down standards in the protection of the environment under the Mahinda Chinthana, will continue to pursue a policy vision in the future as well in protecting and developing the country’s natural riches, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Emphasising that protecting the environment was nothing new to Sri Lanka and it was deeply rooted in our society for more than 2,500 years under the influence of the teachings in Buddhism, President Rajapaksa said however those who caused environmental degradation in the name of an industrial revolution was now trying to tell us how to protect nature.

He said Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future, while emphasising the importance of rapid development, has given high priority towards environmental protection.

President Rajapaksa said certain proposals in the recent budget such as efforts to increase forest cover and providing tax concessions to boost organic fertliser production as steps in this direction.

The President was speaking at the National Green Awards - 2012 held under his patronage at the BMICH on Monday evening where Sri Lanka’s industries and service sector orgnisations which made outstanding contributions to maintain a cleaner and greener environment through pollution control, waste and resources management, cleaner production and green productivity were recognised and rewarded.

At the event organised jointly by the Central Environment Authority and the Environment Ministry, 49 awards were given under 16 categories.

Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary and former CEA chairman, Charitha Herath was presented with a special award in recognition of his efforts at protecting and developing the environment during his tenure as the CEA head.

President Rajapaksa after presenting the awards, said one of the biggest challenges faced by the world today was how to sustain the speed and scope of current development whilst protecting the environment.

“Today, thousands of animal and plant species around the globe have become extinct due to environmental pollution. According to experts, 905 plant species alone have become extinct. However, when the first tree was cut down in the name of an industrial revolution and plastic was found as a result of a technological revolution, people may have not realised the magnitude of the adverse reactions their actions will cause,” he said.

“Now, those who destroyed forests in the name of an industrial revolution are trying teach us on how to protect forests. Those who drove away and annihilated Adivasi communities are talking about their value. Those who produced nuclear bombs are trying to preach environmental protection to us,” the President said.

“Some followers of this vision tried to build concrete jungles here by filling-up paddy fields. You know how we saved the country from such destruction. We have to teach our children to love animals and plants as they love themselves and thereby give an example on the importance of protecting and developing the environment. These awards are an encouragement to the winners to reach greater heights and be an example for others to follow on good environmental performance,” he said.

Commenting on efforts to develop the environment in the future, President Rajapaksa said proposals had been included in the recent budget to cultivate 25,000 hectares and increase the forest cover of the land from current 29 percent to 35 percent Tax concessions to boost organic fertiliser had been proposed to minimise the use of synthetic fertiliser and thereby mitigate harm on plants.

President Rajapaksa said the government was committed to protecting and developing the environment, not only for the well-being of the country and its future generation, but for the future well -being of the world as well.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said Sri Lanka has been recognised as a country with minimum carbon emissions however adding that the country has a number of challenges ahead to ensure a pollution free environment. Referring to a report which is to be discussed shortly at a conference on global warming and its effect on agriculture held in Qatar, the minister said he came to know that the report has identified Sri Lanka as one of the countries where agriculture may be affected due to global warming.

Yapa was of the view that although Sri Lanka had a good track record in protecting and developing natural resources, practices by other countries which has caused environmental degradation was affecting Sri Lanka as well.

The minister said in this backdrop, it was important for Sri Lanka to work much harder to protect its environment. “A strong determination of the government has resulted in placing environment and economic growth on an equal footing,” he said.

The Green Awards organised by the the Central Environmental Authority and Environment Ministry was held for the second consecutive year.

CEA chairman Wimal Rubasinghe also spoke.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Environment Deputy Minister Abdul Cader, A H M Azwer MP and officials were also present.