News

Environment Minister flays unscrupulous elements for taking cover behind farmers to rape forests

Published

4 years ago

2021/02/24

By Ifham Nizam

Unscrupulous elements had started destroying forests by misusing the government’s instructions to allow innocent farmers to cultivate their lands and there were some politicians and venal state officials operating hand in glove with racketeers, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Amaraweera said that the government had not allowed anyone to cut down forests and destroy the environment.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had already ordered security forces to arrest those who were destroying forests and the environment, Amaraweera said.

Amaraweera said that a comprehensive programme to protect the environment had been initiated as per the instructions of the President.

“Environmental degradation has become one of the most talked about topics in the mainstream media and on social media today. The Ministry of Environment is accused of not taking appropriate action regarding such destruction. But this subject is divided into several ministries – Environment, Wildlife, and Wildlife Conservation.”

Minister Amaraweera said that part of the forest areas under threat also belonged to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development. However, the Environment Ministry would do everything it could to protect the environment, he said, requesting the public to bring to his notice incidents of deforestation or illegal exploitation of natural resources.

“Reforestation is not an easy task. A forest is an ecosystem. Creating such an ecosystem artificially is next to impossible. During tree planting however, the number of trees increases,” he said, adding that the government had adopted that method for want of a better alternative.

The Environment Ministry has implemented two special programmes to increase the number of trees here. One is the “Husma Dena Thuru” programme. Under this it is planned to plant two million trees in the next four years.

The Minister said on account of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, his Ministry would launch a tree planting programme on April 16 at the auspicious time of 6.40 am. “Our target is to plant nearly three million plants”, he said.

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Senior Journalist Victor Ivan passes away

Published

8 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

Victor Ivan, former editor of the Raavaya newspaper has passed away . He was 75 at the time of his demise.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the district of Badulla , Kandy , Kurunegala and Matale

Published

17 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.

Accordingly,

Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.

Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district

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It is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the grieving people – Prime Minister

Published

19 hours ago

2025/01/19

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.

The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the People’s Republic of China.

Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.

“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.

The Prime Minister further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.

A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.