President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the national World Environment Day ceremony at Nidahas Mawatha in Kegalle, delivered a powerful call to action, declaring that restoring Sri Lanka’s natural environment is a civic and moral duty that spans generations. He emphasized that ecological preservation must become a unifying national mission, transcending politics and bureaucracy.
In his impassioned speech, the President underscored the need to dismantle the entrenched political culture that has enabled environmental destruction for decades. “The political authority behind environmental degradation has been dismantled. The time for change has come,” he told public officials, urging them to abandon outdated practices and align with the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
This year’s national campaign, aligned with the global theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, is locally anchored by the sub-theme “Let It Sprout”, with a focus on restoration and regeneration. The President stressed that this campaign is not merely symbolic but a tangible commitment to ecological recovery.
Key Initiatives Announced:
- Declaration of Bandula Pethiya’s (Bandula Barb) habitat as a protected sanctuary
- Gazetting of four new nature reserves, including the Nilgala Conservation Area
- Designation of three schools as Eco-Friendly Model Institutions
- Launch of a Green Railway Station evaluation system
The ceremony was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Secretariat, state institutions, and environmental organisations.
In a deeply personal reflection, President Dissanayake described the environmental changes he has witnessed in his own lifetime—from accessible groundwater in Anuradhapura to water scarcity and dried-up forest ecosystems. “We never imagined shops in Anuradhapura selling water,” he said, painting a stark contrast between past abundance and present scarcity.
Notable Excerpts from the President’s Speech:
- “This is not just another speech. It is a deep expression of commitment and responsibility toward our motherland.”
- “We are facing a profound ecological tragedy. If this degradation continues, we will leave future generations with an irreversible catastrophe.”
- “Sri Lanka has strong environmental laws and a robust state system, but political protection of destruction must end.”
- “Either you change, or we will change you.”
The President also addressed the issue of corruption within public service institutions, linking it to environmental decay. He cited recent findings of misconduct in the Immigration Department, Customs, and mining authorities, asserting that systemic reform was essential to achieving environmental goals.
As Sri Lanka grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and ecological degradation, President Dissanayake’s speech marked a definitive shift in tone—signalling a new era of political will and public accountability in environmental governance.
