By Ifham Nizam

No development projects would be implemented in violation of the recently published Red Data List, a senior Environment Ministry official said yesterday. He said Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe had given the fullest assurance in that regard.

South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Santhush Woonjin Jeong appreciated the preparation of the Red Data List as one of the steps to prioritise environmental safety in the implementation of development projects.

Minister Amaraweera said that the Ministry of Environment had initiated the preparation of Red Data Lists covering all environmental sectors as a measure to conserve the flora and fauna of Sri Lanka.

A meeting between South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin Jeong and Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera was held at the Ministry of Environment last Friday.

The meeting was held to discuss the 4th Asia Pacific Environment Ministerial and Environmental Institutions Meeting of the United Nations Environment Programme in Suwon City, Republic of South Korea, on October 6th and 7th, which will be attended by Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The Minister also said that after finalising the lists, the entire Red Data Book would be published in the first quarter  of next year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador said that he appreciated the preparation of the Red Data List as one of the steps taken to prioritise environmental safety in the implementation of development projects.

The Ambassador said that human beings today had been affected by the neglect of the environment in the implementation of development projects and it was gratifying that the Government of Sri Lanka had made it mandatory to obtain environmental assessment reports in development activities.