Country’s environmental damage has increased: Ruwan

Three acres of forests are cleared daily

• These lands are cleared and sold to multinationals

By Yohan Perera 

Sri Lanka’s environmental damage had increased to such an extent that three acres of forests are cleared daily, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said on Sunday. 

Speaking to media after concluding his visit to party activists in Mahiyangana, Mr. Wijewardene said these lands are cleared and sold to multinationals. “A 600-acre forest has been cleared in Maha Oya, Mahiyangana recently, and it is going to be handed over to a multinational company shortly,” Mr. Wijewardene said. 

“The present government is becoming unpopular because of such acts,” he added. He said the UNP will be revamped and converted into a political force before long. “People need an alternative force to the government. We are confident that it would be possible to rebuild our party into a formidable political force,” he added. 
Mr. Wijewardene also visited Buddhist Temples in Mahiyangana and met prominent monks in the Badulla District during his visits. 

• The present government is becoming unpopular because of such acts