President Maithripala Sirisena said that mankind has no future without the blessings of the nature. He said this while addressing the Presidential Environmental Awards 2018 held at the BMICH in Colombo today (October 19).

He said that every citizen who loves life and dream of their children’s future must think of the importance of nature and protect the environment, the President’s Media Division reported.

Referring to the importance given by the government to preserve environment and increase forest density and the projects launched for this purpose, the President said if every person plants a seed or a sapling on the days importance in their live, it would be a fulfillment of a great duty and responsibility for the sustainability of the human race.

The Environmental Conference and Exhibition of the “Sri Lanka Next- a Blue Green Era” National Program has been organized by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment in accordance with President Maithirila Sirisena’s vision to carry Sri Lanka towards a blue green era by encouraging environment-friendly industries and services.

Together with the Presidential Environmental Awards, several other events have been organized. They include environment exhibitions, media discussions, awareness programmes foe school children, short film festivals and these programmes are conducted with a new vision to find answers for the problems faced by people currently and to find response to the challenges in the future.

Under that, reducing the negative effects caused by climatic changes and adapting to such changes, eradicating the pollution caused by polythene and plastic, choosing environmental friendly energy sources, advancing green professions, socializing the concept of green cities and villages were given prominence.

President presented awards to those who made outstanding services in the field of environment protection. Later President visited the exhibition hall and observed the displayed items and held a friendly conversation with the staff members.