Environment becomes a casualty when economy progresses:pm
When mega development projects are implemented it is natural that environment issues are cropped up
The environment becomes a casualty in many instances when economy progresses – the infrastructure development in particular – takes the fast track Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
Addressing the launching of the National Programme ‘A Toxin Free Nation’ under the government’s vision of ‘Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture’ at the BMICH, Mr. Wickremesinghe said governments were committed to carry out development projects and ensure economic progress to provide jobs, electricity, food, education and health service etc to the people.
“When mega development projects are implemented it is natural that environment issues are cropped up. However, it is the responsibility of any government to take measures to protect the environment through legislative measures. That is why the Central EnvironmentAuthority was established in 1982, by late Prime Minister R. Premadasa,” he stressed.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said President Maithripala Sirisena gave pledge to the country that he would ensure a sustainable development based on protecting the nature during the January 2015 Presidential Election campaign and a number of Ministers of the government have been tasked to fulfil that pledge.
A toxin free nation will put an end to the use of chemical fertilizer, pesticide and weedicide in agriculture. A number of cabinet papers are in the pipeline to implement these policies in a priority basis, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stressed.
The pioneer of the National Programme ‘A Toxin Free Nation’, JHU Parliamentarian Ven Athuraliye Ratana Thera said the government’s vision to build a culture of ‘Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture has become a reality under the strong leadership of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.
“The ministers and parliament members were watching helplessly the destruction caused by private companies by forcing farmers to use chemical fertilizer and pesticide and weedicide. There was no response from the government and private fertilizer and chemical companies dictated to the government. But today, under the leadership of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, we are in a position to save the country and the people from this danger ,” Ven. Ratana Thera said.
Ven. There expressed hopes that the mission would be a success as Sri Lanka was the very first country that banned highly poisonous Glyphosate while many other countries still use the chemical as a pesticide.
