University of Colombo to mark World Environment Day today

World Environment Day (WED) falls on 5 June each year and to mark this occasion for 2016, the Base for Enthusiasts of Environmental Science and Zoology (BEEZ) of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, will hold an array of events for school children, undergraduates as well as professionals in public and private sectors, in order to draw attention to human activities which have a direct impact on the state of the environment of our planet. 

BEEZ along with the Institute of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka (IEPSL), through the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform, will hold an event today, 9 June, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Senate Hall of the College House, University of Colombo. 

The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, followed by a panel discussion on the theme of the World Environment Day. 

The panellists will include: Prof. Devaka Weerakoon (Department of Zoology and Environment Science, University of Colombo); Samantha Gunasekara (former Deputy Director of Customs); Akram Cassim (CEO, Colombo Jewellery Stores); Vasantha Leelananda (Executive Vice President, John Keells Group); Jagath Gunawardena (Attorney-At-Law).

The event is sponsored by Sampath Bank, and is open to all those who are interested in the subject. The Faculty of Science Media (FOS Media) team will provide a live webcast, to give greater exposure to the event and its message. Those who cannot be present can watch the event via fos.cmb.ac.lk.

BEEZ will also hold an island wide essay competition, photography competition and inter-school quiz competition on this theme this morning and the winners will be awarded at a ceremony to be held at the University of Colombo.