The national commemoration of World Environment Day 2026, held under the theme "Let us take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change", was held this morning (05) at the Temple Trees under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The environmental policy of the present Government, which is guided by a vision of a sustainable environment that ensures the survival and well-being of all living beings, prioritises maintaining a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection, with a view to fostering a healthy society and a balanced ecosystem, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Accordingly, within the framework of sustainable development and in line with the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Sri Lanka is actively contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it said. 

In line with this programme, a “Climate Week” was declared from 30 May to 05 June in conjunction with the 2026 World Environment Day National commemoration, the PMD stated. 

A series of environmental programmes were organised across the country with the participation of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and contributions from the public sector, private sector and civil society organisations.

Furthermore, in conjunction with this year’s World Environment Day commemoration, five forests, Ritigala, Aliyawetunuwewa, Mulagala, Konkatiyawa and Kallanchiya were declared reserved forests by the Department of Forest Conservation under the patronage of the President, the statement said. 

The introduction of the enhanced National Green Reporting Guidelines, the declaration of the Magama Sand Dunes as a sensitive area by the Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management, the clearance of the Elephant Pass area by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the designation of the Kuda Bubula Spring and Kapurella Hot Water Wetland as protected areas were also announced.

In addition, the first issue of the environmental magazine “Soba” for 2026, the “Soba Ketha” environmental publication and a resource book on plastic waste management were officially launched, the statement said. 

A certificate confirming that the World Environment Day national commemoration had been conducted as a carbon-neutral programme was also formally presented to the President.

The President also participated in the presentation of prizes and certificates to the winners of the art competition organised by the Climate Change Division, as well as to the winners of the eco-friendly innovations and designs competition organised by the Central Environmental Authority under the World Environment Day theme, it said. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also joined a group photograph with environmental researchers, the statement added.