Government committed to sustainable development, Sri Lanka President says

Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his government is committed to carry out sustainable development and Sri Lanka is an example to the world in conserving the environment.

President Rajapaksa made these remarks at a ceremony held at the Temple Trees on Sunday (December 20) to award medals at the National Environmental Pilot programme for the fourth consecutive year.

The President said during the three decades of war the terrorists had destroyed massive environmental resources in the country and by eliminating terrorism the government has managed to safeguard the environmental resources.

The government is always committed to save the environment when development work is carried out, he said. Proposed Weerawila airport project was shifted to the Maththala area in order to protect the environment, he pointed out.

The President assured that his government will never sell the natural resources to foreign countries. Sri Lanka is the only country that fully implemented the terms of international treaty for protecting ozone layer, he said.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patali Champika Ranawaka, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weerathunge, Chairman of Central Environmental Authority, Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickrama and other officials were present.