June 26 declared as National Energy Day

The Cabinet of Ministers cleared the path to declare June 26 as the annual National Energy Day, along with a national programme to enhance the knowledge, attitudes and creativity of schoolchildren on sustainable energy.

Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila on Monday jointly sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to declare June 26 as the National Energy Day annually, taking into consideration that June 26 in 1882 as the day Sri Lankans first saw the light emitted by an electric torch, when the German ship SS Helios arrived at the Port of Colombo.

In concurrence, the government plans to roll out a national programme on June 26 every year, consisting of various activities to enhance the knowledge, attitudes and creativity of schoolchildren on sustainable energy.

The Government Information Department noted that the proposed programme to educate schoolchildren would run for one year, ending with a national prize giving ceremony.

The government recently announced an ambitious target to meet 80 percent of the country’s electricity demand through renewable energies by 2030.