Army teams up with SLADC to launch project to plant over 100,000 herbal plants

Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation (SLADC) have jointly organised a mega nation-building project to plant more than 135,000 herbal saplings inside all island-wide Army installations.

President Maithripala Sirisena symbolically inaugurated the environment-friendly project named ‘Punarudaya’ (re-awakening) on Thursday at the Viharamahadevi Park premises, handing over the first herbal plant to Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake.

President Sirisena also joined the program by planting a white Sandalwood plant in Viharamahadevi Park.

The Army, under the 60-day project, undertook the responsibility for cultivation of sandalwood, red sandalwood, Aloe Vera (Komarika), pawatta, pomegranate seedlings, etc., inside all formations under the seven Security Force Headquarters (SFHQ) around the country.

SLADC will provide all of the 135,000 saplings to the Directorate of Agriculture of the Army on a staggered basis for distribution, beginning next week.

This new project commenced as one of the steps towards sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, President Sirisena said that in order to instigate the nation’s renaissance, the contribution, dedication and integrity of all the sectors are essential.

The President pointed out that the Government has taken steps to increase the current forest cover from 28% to 32%, and added that the project launched today will be of massive importance when taking this program forward.

The President mentioned that plans are afoot to conduct a huge environmental revolution with the support of the Tri Forces to increase the forest cover.

Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation Chairmen Lal Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka Army Chief Administrative Officer Major General Shavendra Silva, and Army Agriculture Director Brigadier Buwaneka Gunaratna were present at this event.