The first phase of the urban forestation project under the Clean Sri Lanka program commenced this morning (30) near the Kelani Bridge in Peliyagoda.
This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the “Turu Kepakaru” project, spearheaded by S-Lon Lanka Private Limited, a subsidiary of the Capital Maharaja Group of Companies. The project aligns with Zero Waste Day, which is observed today (30).
Under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat, the Road Development Authority, the Urban Development Authority, and the Colombo Municipal Council, both public and private sector organizations have joined hands to support this effort.
As part of the project, saplings have been planted on government-owned land between the Nawaloka Roundabout and the New Kelani Bridge in Peliyagoda, transforming the area into an attractive urban forest plantation.
A distinctive feature of the project is the active involvement of students, including those from schools, universities, and Dhamma schools, who have been assigned the responsibility of nurturing and safeguarding the plants. Specifically, students from the Dharmawijaya Dhamma School in Peliyagoda have been entrusted with the care of the saplings planted near the Kelani Bridge.
To enhance the effectiveness of the initiative, a dedicated mobile application has been introduced. This app provides continuous updates on the growth and status of the trees, along with details about their assigned caregivers.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, emphasized that this initiative is more than just a tree-planting effort—it is a community-driven movement rooted in the “Clean Sri Lanka” vision. He highlighted that while previous governments have implemented various afforestation programs, their long-term success remains uncertain. However, since the Clean Sri Lanka program is driven by public participation, this urban forestry project is expected to be a sustainable endeavor.
Minister of Power and Energy, Kumara Jayakody, who attended as a special guest, noted that the concept of urban forests is gaining global recognition as part of the green city movement. He stressed the need for attitudinal change among people to achieve the project’s goals and underlined the significance of community involvement in ensuring its success. The Minister also pointed out that the shift toward renewable energy sources is crucial for a sustainable ecosystem.
Minister of Urban Development, Housing, and Construction, Anura Karunathilaka, also addressed the gathering, acknowledging that while urbanization brings convenience, it simultaneously leads to significant environmental challenges. He highlighted the country’s struggles with issues such as environmental degradation, water and air pollution, and global warming, stressing that projects like urban forestation play a vital role in mitigating these problems.
Additionally, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, Upali Pannilage, along with the Operations Manager of Capital Maharaja Group, S.C. Weerasekara, and the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Aponsu, also spoke at the event.
The event was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Additional Secretary to the President S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, CEO of S-Lon Lanka Private Limited Nalin Jayawardena, CEO of PE-plus Private Limited Shehan Amarasinghe, Colombo Municipal Commissioner, Peliyagoda Municipal Commissioner, officials from the Urban Development Authority and the Road Development Authority, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, and senior officers from the Army and Police.
This urban forestation initiative stands as a significant step towards fostering environmental sustainability and community-driven conservation efforts in Sri Lanka.
