President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jörn Rohde officially handed over the facilities awarded for the winner of the Green Energy Champion competition, including a solar PV system which now powers the Ananda College Hostel, at a ceremonious event tagged ‘Harithananada’. Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was also amongst the dignitaries invited to the event.

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka, the project implementing partner Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and supporting partners Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA) launched the Green Energy Champion Sri Lanka initiative, a country-wide competition to identify and recognise innovative ideas on improving energy efficiency and encouraging the use of renewable energy in Sri Lanka in summer 2016. The project comprised a twofold approach including a cross-media campaign as well as the island-wide Green Energy Champion competition.

Ananda College Colombo handed in a holistic approach to energy efficiency which was implemented in autumn 2016. The implementation measures included the installations of a PV-system generating over 24,000 kilowatt hours annually, the upgrading of the school’s already existing composting system and the introduction of a waste management system. Further, several awareness trainings with more than 7,000 students and teachers were carried out. Jörn Rohde said, “I am very happy to see that Sri Lanka has chosen to participate in the combat against global warming and that a steady shift to renewable energy sources is gaining momentum. Through the project ‘Green Energy Champion Sri Lanka’ the German Government represented through the Federal Foreign Office sought to support these ambitions by enhancing the awareness of Sri Lankans of energy efficiency and energy innovations.”

The country-wide competition saw over 80 green energy ideas from individuals, local government institutions, community-based organisations, SMEs and NGOs. Post the preliminary screening, a jury consisting of all stakeholders involved finally decided on the winning green energy proposal at a special meeting held at the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority office. Sri Lanka has excellent conditions for using solar energy, biomass and wind energy. Whereas it has almost fully exploited its hydropower capacities, the government currently explores other electricity generation options. Germany, the world’s fourth largest economy, is currently pioneering an epochal transformation it calls the Energiewende – an energy transition which will substantially change the energy portfolio of the European country. Nuclear power, coal, gas and all other fossil fuels shall finally be replaced by renewable energy sources. Succeeding in this approach will lead to ambitious emission cuts Germany has promised: By 2020, a 40% cut from 1990 levels, and at least 80% reduction by 2050.

Forest density to be increased within next four years: President

President Maithripala Sirisena says his plan as the Minister of Environment is to increase the forest density from the current 27-28% to 32% within the next four years.

“According to the climate and weather conditions caused by the environmental damage in our country, similar to many other countries, all beings including humans have to face a challenge for their living,” he pointed out.

The President was speaking at the ceremony to launch the project of bio gas, compost fertiliser, green farm and solar power, carried out under the program initiated by the Ananda College, Colombo on 27 January. He pointed out the importance of connecting the knowledge and understanding gained from the school education with the day-to-day life. “To stand as a strong nation, the children should be trained to act with self-pride, determination and self-strength,” he said.

The President stated that identifying the importance of energy, his residence in Polonnaruwa as well as the President’s House in Colombo are using solar power. He pointed out that any household could join this solar power scheme and advised the children to make their households aware of this program.

“Achieving of the economic freedom in the country is not a responsibility of politicians and government officials only. Every citizen including school children can contribute to this task,” he further stated.

The President presented the awards for the contributors of Haritha Udana. 

Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jorn Rohde and the Principal of Ananda College S.M. Keerthirathne were among those who participated in this event.