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CMC, Environment Ministry take measures to make Colombo green to combat toxic air
Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake, handing over the project report prepared by Colombo MC “Save a Plant for Colombo” “Project to Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary Ministry of Environment.
By Ifham Nizam
The government has launched a programme to prevent air pollution in the city and other urban centres by planting trees, Minister Amaraweera says.
The Minister yesterday said latest scientific studies showed that the oxygen level in the atmosphere of the city of Colombo was gradually declining.
On Thursday, a meeting was held between Environment Minister and Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake on the tree planting programme.
Mayor Senanayake handed over the ‘Save a Tree for Colombo’ programme prepared by the Colombo Municipal Council to Minister Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
The Mayor also requested that a programme be launched to measure the oxygen content in the air in the Colombo city on a daily basis and provide necessary expertise and technical assistance for environmental conservation in the Colombo Municipal Council area.
Minister Amaraweera said that the Ministry of Environment would extend all possible assistance to the CMC to prevent noise pollution and air pollution in the city of Colombo.
According to the US Air Quality Index, the smallest particulate material, PM 2.5, has a value of between 100 and 150, a condition that can have a profound effect on sensitive groups. PM refers to a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air and particles such as soot, dust, dirt, or smoke as being visible to naked eye. It is categorized according to particle size. PM10 carries particles 10 micrometres or smaller and are inhalable, while PM 2.5 carries particles 2.5 micrometres and smaller which is three times smaller than a hair strand.
“In terms of meteorological conditions, northerly winds are blowing from Indian peninsula which has high air pollution thus worsening the situation here,” an official at the Meteorological Department said.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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