President Maithripala Sirisena stated that not only our country, but the whole world has to face the consequences of environmental pollution and further emphasized that the present Government follows a very stern policy against the environmental degradation.

He made these remarks addressing the main launching ceremony of the “Sri Lanka NEXT – Blue Green Era” policy initiative, held at the BMICH, today (18).

President Sirisena also emphasized that if any individual or institution take actions to harm the environment the Government will not hesitate to enforce the laws against the wrongdoers. He also said that as the Minister of Environment recently, he took strong decisions against several these kinds of  incidents reported in various parts of the country.

The President said that the state officials and the institutions responsible for the environmental conservation should act in a responsible manner, in this regard and said that he believed the relevant authorities will fulfill their respective responsibilities honourably by taking effective steps against the smugglers.

The year 2017 has been declared as a year of eradication of poverty in the country , the President said that adding all the initiatives in this regard will be implemented giving priority to the sustainable development and further said that it is one of the main objectives of the Government.

“The Government has understood the importance of moving towards natural resources while resolving issues related the energy field,” he added.

A series of programs for taking Sri Lanka towards a green era are being carried out from Oct. 17, 18, 19 at the BMICH. The Asia Pacific Conference on climate change simulations commenced yesterday with participation of 500 foreign scientists.

International Research Seminar, film exhibition on environment, exhibition on environmental creations and productions, specialists’ dialog and a global youth society on climate change were held parallel to this summit.

Over 80 Presidential Awards were presented at the main ceremony held today. The Green Climate Fund offered 38. 18 millions USD to Sri Lanka at this occasion.

The first copy of the publication on climate change, prepared by the Climate Change Secretariat of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment was presented to the President.