LGs’ support sought for environmental conservation

Disna Mudalige

A new programme will be launched to secure active contributions of local government institutions towards environmental conservation, Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

This programme is to be commenced parallel to World Environment Day on June 5. Local government bodies as grassroots level institutions play a prominent role in solid waste management in the county, he said.

The minister said his ministry would work in close coordination with the Provincial Council and Local Government Ministry to secure the active participation of those institutions for environmental conservation.

The minister made these observations addressing a Provincial Environmental Conservation Conference at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute recently.

Premajayantha said the projects in South Asian countries on solid waste management should be studied as models since their consumptions pattern are similar to that of our country than western counties.

He said it is the duty of officials who participate at international conferences representing Sri Lanka to implement the progressive and pragmatic suggestions discussed in the country.

Ministry Secretary B M U D Basnayake, Provincial Council and Local Government Ministry Secretary R A A K Ranawaka, Provincial Council Environment Ministers and over 350 participants representing all local government institutions participated in the conference.