The President further said that in the face of environmental challenge that is observable worldwide, Sri Lanka must protect the environment The President stated that despite introducing numerous policies to protect the environment that he was not satisfied with the progress that has been made in implementing them, but urged everyone to do their part in protecting the environment.
The President said that he has given instructions to issue a gazette notification banning importation of chainsaw machines, and he further said that he has given instructions to halt the registration of new carpentry workshops as well as to provide assistance to wood mill owners to do other business.President Sirisena pointed out that such programme is needed to implement in the country at least for ten years to create an environment which is suitable for the people to live while increasing the forest density of the country.
The President also invited environmental scientists, academics, experts, public officials to the take responsibility of using the knowledge gained from the international context is to bring the knowledge of the environment to the country more responsive. The President also planted a sapling to commemorate the World Environment Day.
The President also inspected the vehicle for measuring the air quality.The World Environment Day commemoration commenced after the environmental pledge. The website of the Air and Water Quality Units Website was also opened by the President. He handed over the Air Surveying Unit of the Vehicle Emission Testing Fund to the Director General of the CEA.A handbook on air pollution control and regulation for sustainable survival and Magazine of Sobaketha were also presented to the President.
Simultaneously to the world environmental day 2019, the Air Emission Gazette which was signed by the President, was published, and the gazette was handed over to the President by the Director General of Central Environmental Authority. The Sandikadu sand valley in Mundalama Divisional Secretariat in Puttalam district spreading around 27 Hectares was an area to be conserved where the gazette was published related to that.Thus simultaneous to the Wana Ropa National ceremony the promising draft issued by the President for providing funds worth of Rs.21.3 million, to maintain plantings houses in 14 government institutions, was presented to the Secretary of Mahaweli Development and Environment.Through the Renaissance National Environmental Program the monetary fund presented to Central Environmental Authority was presented to the Director General of Central Environmental Authority.
Thrushi Rajapaksha of studying in the Advanced level Arts stream of Rathnawali Sumana Balika Vidayalaya Thrusshi Vidushika Rajapaksha has contributed her innovation since a child and created a bag that can be used instead of lunch sheets. State Minister Ajith Mannaperuma, Secretary of Mahaweli Development and environment Anura Dissanayake,Director General of Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, Hemantha Jayasighe, and experts, environmentalists, government officers and other distinguished guests were present in the event.
Meanwhile a national environment week was announced on behalf of the national environment day from 30th of May to 5th of June where a number of programs were organized Island wide. May 30th is announced as the day for cleaning the environment and acknowledging about the environment, May 31stas the day for reducing air pollution and it negative effects, 2nd of June as water and water sources conservation day, June 3rd as the day for conserving bio density and June 4th as the day for conserving sustainable lands.
