Under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, the second phase of the Urban Forest Project was launched this morning (17) near the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha bus stand in, Thotalaga.
Accordingly, land belonging to the Colombo Municipal Council in Thotalaga has been developed into a protected urban forest through the planting of trees.
A special feature of this initiative is that students of Sri Sanghabodhi Maha Vidyalaya, Madampitiya have been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding and nurturing these ecologically valuable plants.
To mark the occasion, prizes and certificates were also presented to the students.
This project is being implemented with the participation of both the public and private sectors, including the Road Development Authority, the Urban Development Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council, under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat. It integrates the ‘Thuru Kepakaru’ programme with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, which is carried out by S-Loan Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Capital Maharaja Group of Companies.
Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon and S.C. Weerasekara, Group Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Capital Maharaja Group of Companies, attended the event. They were joined by dignitaries, Municipal Councillors, government officials, members of the security forces and local residents.
