5 December 2019 01:22 am
Sri Lanka's new interim government will launch green projects in several parts of the country as part of a mega beautification programme as well as maintaining the environment, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa told the Daily Mirror yesterday.
As the first step, Namal said the section along the southern expressway from Matara to Mattala will soon be greener when the viaducts placed there for elephant crossings will be converted to vertical gardens while the spaces in between the interchanges will be used to install solar panels.
"Such projects will produce more green energy while solar panels installed in lands which cannot be used, can provide power to the residents in the area. There are so many small plots of land areas which otherwise cannot be used for any other purpose," Namal said.
The Daily Mirror learns that all projects which will be launched in Sri Lanka hereafter, whether it be by international or local investors will be encouraged to have more greenery and be more environmental-friendly in order to maintain Sri Lanka's beauty and produce more green energy. The government believes that having more greener projects will also help blend development with the existing ecosystem and will provide a more suitable habitat for animals.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his election pledges vowed to ensure the environment is protected in all his development plans in order to ensure the environment is not polluted.
The President also pledged to amend existing laws, and if needed bring in new legislation to strengthen and protect the natural habitat of Sri Lanka's forest cover, rivers, streams and treasured wildlife. (JAMILA HUSAIN)