S-lon joins ‘Foxhill Green’ reforestation initiative

28 August 2015 07:24 am

Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd Group Director S.C. Weerasekera planting a tree, a gift of nearly immeasurable value, at the ‘Foxhill Green’ Reforestation Project


S-lon Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, the pioneer and market leader of thermoplastic water management systems in Sri Lanka, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, joined hands with the Security Force Headquarters – Central (SFHQ-C) to initiate the first phase of the Diyatalawa ‘Foxhill Green’ Reforestation Project in ‘Foxhill’ mountain range Diyatalawa, at a colourful ceremony recently.
This is an extension of the on-going ‘S-lon Diyasara Student Circle’ project initiated to educate and create awareness of environmental concerns and the need for water conservation amongst students, the future generation of Sri Lanka.
The Foxhill Green Reforestation Project was initiated with the objective to preserve the ecological system in the ‘Foxhill’ area, which is rich in natural diversity but under threat due to increased human activities such as encroachment, deforestation and natural calamities like soil erosion.
The launch ceremony was followed by a Foxhill Green Walk in line with this initiative with the support of stake agencies, school children and Tri-service personnel. The inauguration ceremony took place amidst the presence of SFHQ-C Commander Major General Sumedha Perera, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd Group Director S.C. Weerasekera, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd Director/General Manager Yasarath Kamalsiri, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Commander Major General Mano Perera, SLMA Commandant Brigadier R.W.W.A.D.B. Rajaguru and several other senior executives from S-lon Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.


Five hundred and fifty Tri-service personnel and the Police, 75 civil sector environmental activists, 40 school students and invited guests joined the Foxhill Walk from the Polo grounds at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA). SFHQ-C Commander Major General Sumedha Perera flagged off the event and joined the walk with others.


Speaking on the occasion Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd Group Director S.C. Weerasekera said, “It is not an exaggeration to say that the air we breathe in and breathe out is a consequence of a tree. A tree provides the annual supply of oxygen that is enough for 10 people. Thus, if we think for a moment, for every tree that is cut down today, the supply of oxygen to 10 people will also be reduced. Can we afford to destroy trees? “
Weerasekera further stated the importance of nurturing the project. He said, “When there is a project, there is a start. However, there is no continuation. We need to have focus on the saplings that we plant today until they become trees of great size.” He further emphasized, “We must not limit this reforestation programme only to Foxhill and we need to take this programme national. This will benefit the future generation in a great way.”