Tri-forces deployed to protect the environment - President

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Central Cultural Fund's program to develop and promote the Jathika Namal Uyana commenced today (July 26) under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena. The Jathika Namal Uyana was vested in the custody of the Central Cultural Fund as per a request made by Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero, the custodian of the premises. The new Information Centre at the Jathika Namal Uyana and the J.R.Jayawardena Memorial Meditation Centre were declared open today as well. Speaking at the event Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero said not only those who are engaged in logging, but those who are in Parliament, the MPs and Ministers involved in bringing down drugs must be sent to the gallows and not the innocent people. He requested the Government not to spare the loggers and timber racketeers and bring forward a law which could impose capital punishment on anyone that causes harm to the environment. President Maithripala Sirisena speaking at the event said certain politicians need to be held responsible for the destruction of natural resources around the country over the past 5 decades. He said the politicians have used their power to generate money together with their henchmen and cause serious harm to the environment. The President noted that he has deployed the Army, Navy and Air Force for the protection of the environment. He explained that the Air Force Commander sends satellite images of the forest density to him once every two weeks while the Navy carries out surveillance on the ocean area to ascertain if timber and other resources are being taken away from the country.