Trade union set up to protect environment

COLOMBO (News1st): A trade union calling itself the Confederation of Government Trade Unions for Environment was established today. "Land is being taken for development activities and only the remaining plots are being protected. This is an entirely wrong procedure," Dewani Jayathilaka, the spokesperson of the union said. She pointed out that the above process has destroyed eco-systems and caused an escalation in the human-elephant conflict. "We need to come together and move forward towards a common objective. When differences of opinion arise, we need to be able to discuss them constructively and set the country on the right path," Jayathilaka insisted. Chanuka Sandaruwan, a member of the union called on the relevant authorities to protect these eco-systems that are at a threat of being destroyed. "Institutions like Central Environmental Authority, Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest Conservation are created for this purpose," Sandaruwan said.