The government has fulfilled over 60% of the budget proposals spelt out last March, said Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera addressing the launch of Green Clubs at Colombo Hilton yesterday.
The Minister said that a total of 84 proposals were presented and only 16 proposals are left to be implemented. Samaraweera said that today world is focusing more on global warming, safeguarding of the environment and animals and fauna, reforestation of forests, reducing emissions and especially on the dumping of polythene and plastic.
“Today countries are not conquering each other but are more focusing on guarding the environment. Sri Lanka also has fallen in line and for the first time introduced several measures at the last budget towards this global initiative of safe guarding of the environment.”
Sri Lanka has also been identified globally as a country that is paying less attention to its environment. It is as a remedy towards these that the government is launching the Green Club concept which would be carried out all over Sri Lanka mainly with the assistance and guidance from the AGA division and also getting the civil societies, police, environmentalists, children and senior citizens as well. He also pointed out the importance of nurturing a green environment for future generations.
The launch of the Green Club which will take place in two months from Colombo is fulfilling yet another budget proposal. The Ministry will initially allocate Rs. 450 million for this project and would offer more capital as and when needed. “We want this ‘Green Club’ concept to be carried forward by future a government as well and soon bring in a special act is parliament to ensure the continuity of this.
He requested the heads of the 334 AGA divisions to be creative and form Green Gardens and similar projects involving the private sector, youth and civil societies for which the government would allocate land and funding. Acting UN Resident Coordinator Razia Pendse, said that the fast changing climate and weather patterns have badly affected areas of agriculture and measures taken towards negating the impact will benefit the society at large.
“It is important to preserve the environment as socio economic development has created adverse effect on our planet. Measures taken to mitigate the climate change and initiatives taken to ensure green environment is the need of the hour.”
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga who made the welcome and introduction said that the Sri Lanka was a few decades away to be considered a Green Country but due to various human deeds environment is been threatened and the launch of Green Club concept will try to correct that.
Add new comment