One hour ‘switch off’ on March 23

Disna Mudalige

Sri Lanka will join hands with the world to observe ‘Earth Hour 2013’ at 8.30pm on March 23 by switching off lights for one hour, Western Provincial Council Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Minor Irrigation, Industries and Environmental Affairs Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Addressing a press conference at the National Library and Documentation Services Board last week, he said the official ceremony of the Earth Hour has been organized at the Mahindarama Viharaya in Ethul Kotte with the participation of Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha as Chief Guest. He said a musical show “ Parisarika Gee Sendewa ” has also been organized parallel to this event at the same place with the participation of popular singers.

He said the national commitment towards this event would be showed to the world in a more creative and artistic way this year. He said a series of special environment related programmes has been planned parallel to this event, including a cycle parade from Anuradhapura to Colombo from March 13-23 with the young environmentalists’ participation.

This cycle parade is organized by the EcoWe Environmental Organization to raise public awareness on global warming and importance of environmental conservation. He noted the ‘Earth Hour’ national campaign last year could cut down the electricity usage by 130 Mega Watts saving Rs 7.8 million to the Ceylon Electricity Board. The national event was held with the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Residence in Kandy on March 31 last year.

Earth Hour is a worldwide environmental event taking place each year since 2007 demanding to take action on climate change. The public is requested to support to this endeavour by switching off the lights for one hour from 8.30pm on March 23.

In 2007, 2.2 million individuals in Sydney, Australia spent one hour in the dark by switching off the lights to direct attention of the world leaders on the necessity for the reduction of green house gas emissions marking the origin of the Earth Hour. Since then, it has become a global event. In 2012, 152 countries joined in observing the Earth Hour, while 167 countries are expected to take part in the event in 2013.

Popular singers Bathiya Jayakody and Santhush Weeraman have been selected as the brand ambassadors of Sri Lanka to the Earth Hour 2013. They said they plan to release a special song for the ‘Earth Hour 2013’ targeting both local and international audiences. Country Manager of Earth Hour Sri Lanka Abdul Uvais, Western Provincial Council Environment Ministry Secretary S B Kodikara and environmentalists were present at the press conference.