'A plant for love' , tree planting program launched

 

 

February 14th is designated as Valentine's Day or Lover’s  Day. There is no good opinion in the society regarding such a day. On Valentine's Day, the media publishes information on various misconducts in some hotels. Some events end in death. According to our police information, there are special explanations regarding irregularities in hotels

 

Therefore, as the Ministry of Environment, we launched a tree planting program in 2021 called 'A Plant for Love'. Accordingly, we took action to plant 50,000 Mee saplings island wide including the Weeraketiya tank suburb. Also, this time we, with the support of the Green Brigade of the Sri Lanka University of Technology, Padukka, launched a tree planting program in the university premises. All these young people are planting trees today giving a new meaning to Valentine's Day.

 

The Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera expressed these views while participating in the 'A Plant for of Love' tree planting program held at the Sri Lanka University of Technology, Padukka today. Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, CEO of the University Ranjith Rubasinghe and many others were present at the occasion.

 

Minister Bandula Gunawardena also addressed the gathering.

 

The Minister of Environment has given a new meaning to Valentine's Day which falls today. That is to give an opportunity to love the environment on a date related to a topic that evokes fond memories like love. I thank the Minister for that.

 

Peradeniya is not to be forgotten when it comes to university love. Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra summoned the beauty of love to Peradeniya and summoned the love that exists in the Sinhabahu play for a son in the heart of a father. I consider it a great privilege to be part of this tree planting program today as we talk about love with such experiences.

 

Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment said It is a good omen that a group of university youth are organizing such a program. We should all appreciate these steps taken by all these children as the Green Force.

 

When a government comes to power, the first thing that happens is that the allies of those who came to power fight for permits to destroy the environment, dig soil, dig sand and quarry stones. Some are occupying lands. In the past, various local politicians have worked to destroy the environment. I spoke to the Cabinet about this. The Cabinet was informed to the Minister. His Excellency the President told me to enforce the law irrespective of rank. I thank him for that

 

If you look at the ownership of granite, soil, gravel and sand licenses in our country, most of them are politicians and their associates. But I am happy that Minister Bandula Gunawardena never made such a request of me. He is a pure politician.

 

We also have the challenge of enhancing the forest cover of our country. We need to increase our forest cover to 30 percent by 2030. For that at least 65,000 hectares should be planted. We have already implemented a number of programs for this purpose.

 

Mumtaz - Sajahan the Taj Mahal is the symbol of love. Even today, people from all over the world come to Agra, India to see this symbol of love. These plants that you plant today will become great trees in the future. The Minister also said that they will one day be symbols of the extent of your love for the environment.

 

The Minister distributed seedlings to students of the Sri Lanka University of Technology and also provided fruit seedlings to 50 families in the surrounding villages for planting.