The country cannot be protected unless the environment is protected, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha said.
He was speaking at a ceremony organised by Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha former chairman Indika Koralage to distribute compost bins among 1,200 families in the Homagama electorate.
The ceremony was held at the Lenagala Junior School under the patronage of Minister Musthapha. Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya and Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Dharmanee Vijerathne were also present.
The ministry Solid Waste Management Assistance Unit spent Rs. 4,000,000 to distribute compost bins among 1,200 families in Nawalamulla and Walpita Grama Niladhari divisions in the Homagama divisional Secretariat.
The Unit distributed 15,000 compost bins at a cost of Rs. 54,000,000 for 2016.
Minister Musthapha said the environment is destroyed not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.
“We should work together to protect the environment. The country cannot be protected if we cannot protect the environment. There have been Presidents in the past and they have administrated various ministries, but President Maithripala Sirisena assumed duties as the Environment Minister to protect the environment for the future. We all should take part in this process,” he said.
“We are successfully carrying out the garbage segregation programme initiated in Municipal Councils under the guidance and supervision of the ministry and even now we encounter practical issues. Once we have resolved these issues, we are planning to extend this programme to Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. We cannot protect the environment without disposing garbage in a proper manner. I request all to make the maximum use of these compost bins, and assist to conserve the environment,” Minister Musthapha said.