V-Force plants 4000 tree sapling in Ratnapura

Colombo (News1st): With the long-term objective of minimizing the risk of floods in the Ratnapuraarea, 4000 tree saplings were planted on the river banks of the Kalu Ganga on Saturday. This mission was accomplished during the third phase, of the youth empowering Gammada V force initiative, under its theme 'Kalu Gangata Thuru Viyanak' loosely translated as a Green Canopy for the Kalu River. With the objective of developing a nation with empowered youth, V force commenced its activities this morning (September 29), from Warakathota Bridge in Ratnapura. 4000 tree saplings were planted from the Warakathota Bridge, along with the river banks of Kalu Ganga by eight separate groups moving towards the upper area of the river. The event was attended by religious leaders, the district secretary of Ratnapura, the divisional secretary and many officials from the police and government sector. A number of national and international organizations joined hands with V Force, while Brandix played an exceptional role. This initiative was also supported by the Rathnapura Divisional Secretariat, the Universities of Moratuwa and Sabaragamuwa, Police Life Saving Unit, the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Managment, Haritha Udaya National Environmental Movement, and YFM. Among those who supported were the diploma level students of Maharaja Institute of Management (MIM) and the traffic police officials. The long-term objective of this project is to implement a solution to minimize the risk of floods in the area, through the prevention of river bank erosion. The first edition of the Gammada V Force initiative commenced in Sigiriya, while the second phase took place in Muhandirampitiya in Negombo.