Protect nature, architect of all - Minister

Thennakoon Bandara- Monaragala Daily News Corr

All beings share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely strand on it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself. This is what Red Indian Chief Seattle said which is thought provoking and relevant to the present social context, said Wildlife Conservation Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa.

The minister made these sentiments participating in a ceremony organized by Bibile, Medagama and Madulla divisional Secretariats at Soysa Memorial Auditorium in Bibile, Monaragala on Tuesday.

Minister Soysa said "wildlife conservation has to play a key role as the country is replete with natural resources. We are duty bound to protect them. Nature is part of ours and we are part of nature. We can't think of life without nature."

He said there is a human-elephant conflict issue for which immediate remedy should be made. The country is marching forward with economic development with the dawn of peace under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Power hungry sinister forces with international allies are involved in a fruitless effort to defame the government.

The people should unite sans caste, creed and class discrimination to raise their voice against conspiracies, he said.

Bibile PS chairman Chandrasena Banda and Monaragala District parliamentarian Vijitha Berugoda also spoke.