March 16, Colombo (LNW): During a recent press conference, SJB Member of Parliament Eran Wickramaratne emphasized the collective responsibility of parliamentarians, irrespective of party affiliations, to draft environmentally friendly laws. The conference aimed to elucidate the objectives of Sri Lanka’s Environment Parliament.
Wickramaratne highlighted the pressing issue of rising temperatures, particularly affecting Sri Lanka’s lowlands and coastal regions. He stressed the necessity, as per the Paris Agreement, to escalate renewable energy usage to 70% by 2030 and eliminate carbon dioxide emissions entirely by 2050. The upcoming meeting of the Sri Lanka Environmental Parliamentary Forum, scheduled for March 21, will convene parliamentarians, political figures, officials, scholars, and activists to address local and global environmental challenges.
MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa echoed Wickramaratne’s sentiments, underlining the importance of engaging in global environmental discourse to tackle shared challenges. He outlined the Environmental Parliamentary Forum’s role in guiding governmental policies to alleviate environmental distress and ensure the welfare of both people and wildlife.
MP Yadamini Gunawardena emphasized the urgency of managing climate change effectively to safeguard lives and the economy. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts with relevant institutions.
The press conference aimed to raise awareness about the Environment Parliament, which comprises members from diverse political backgrounds. Notably, similar bodies exist in over 50 countries worldwide, reflecting a global commitment to environmental stewardship.
