Sirisena asks public to join National Tree Planting program to meet environmental responsibilities

President Maithripala Sirisena says everyone must unite to fulfill the national responsibility of the National Tree Planting Week by planting at least a one tree in every house.

The President pointed out that the main factor which determines the survival of the country’s future was its forest cover. He urged all citizens, including politicians, public servants and schoolchildren, to join hands with the National Tree Planting program to preserve a secure environment for the country’s future generations.

He made these remarks while participating in the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment held at the ministry auditorium, yesterday (18).

The Ministry of Environment will take steps under the guidance of the President to implement a broad program to plant three million plants across the country and during this meeting this was discussed in detail.   

President Sirisena explained that the planting of trees should not be limited to a day or a week but must be promoted among the public.

During this meeting, attention was drawn to various programs including the training of the people to plant a tree in all the special moments of their lives and for a couple to plant a tree during Valentine’s Day.

The irrigational and other projects conducted as well as the future plans under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development were given special consideration and their progress was also monitored at this meeting. The President instructed the officers to expedite implementation of the Uma Oya project and to provide its benefits to the public by the beginning of next year.

The progress of the program to present Mahaweli land deeds was also discussed.

The buildings, which are not in use by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development, were scheduled to be opened for the use of other government organisations and the progress of this program was also monitored by the President while instructions were given to release them immediately to the relevant organisations based on priority.

The President instructed Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Secretary Anura Dissanayake that if there were any allegations by the public about fraud and corruption within the projects conducted by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment such issues should be thoroughly investigated and a report should be provided to him.

Mahaweli Development State Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake, senior officers of the ministry and the heads of the organisations run under the ministry were also present at the event.