Parties should be sensitive toward the environment during their election campaigns said Dharmasiri and urged all candidates and their supporters to refrain from using polythene and plastic decorations, flyers, banners, posters, flags etc., and to be mindful not to pollute the environment during the election campaign.
He complained that candidates glue or attach their propaganda items to almost everything, including tree trunks, utility poles, transformers and walls, carpetted roads. He pointed out that they need to conduct their election campaigns through more modern and eco-friendly methods including the social networks, media, telephone, internet, email, face book. which are much more cost effective and environment friendly.
Dharmasiri said it was a good sign that many politicians and the public have been to a certain level interested on the best environmental practices in recent times, adding that this quality needs to be further cultivated.
He also stated that politicians should also be mindful to avoid noise pollution in their election campaigns.
He also noted that President Maithripala Sirisena has repeatedly referred to the matter of safeguarding natural resources and protecting the environment.
