COLOMBO, Feb 17 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, launched a national tree-planting programme, to encourage children to be eco-friendly citizens and to ensure a secure ecosystem for future generations, a statement from the President’s office said.
President Rajapaksa launched the programme, titled: “Kekulu Thuru Udanaya,” at school premises in the central hills of Gampola.
According to the statement, the number of children entering grade one, in schools every year in the country is close to 350,000, and the objective of this programme was to groom children to be eco-friendly citizens and to ensure a secure ecosystem for future generations, in line with the government’s Sustainable Environmental Policy.
The president, as well as, ministers and parliamentarians, took part in the programme by planting saplings together with the children.
State Minister of Padi and Grains, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, Onion and Potato Cultivation Promotion, Seed Production and Advanced Technology Agriculture, Shashindra Rajapaksa, said, the theme of this concept is to create a sound mentality by encouraging students, who are in an examination mindset, to cultivate.
The Sri Lankan government aims to add 1.7 million trees, including jackfruit, breadfruit, coconut, and mango to the environment, within the next five years under the supervision of children.
Children living in urban areas will be provided with small plants that are suitable for their environment, while children who are living in apartments will be provided with potted plants.– NNN-XINHUA
