He stated this on Friday (08) after participating in the tree planting ceremony held at "Sampathpaya" premises to mark the first year of office of President Maithreepala Srisena.

He said that the "Wanaropa" program under the National Punarudaya program has given a target for the government institutions to grow plant in their capacity and they expect to grant around 270,000 plants for the government institutions with the contribution of the Forest conservation department, State timber co-operation, Mahaweli Authority and the Department of Agriculture.

He further said that the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment has allocated Rs.6 millions for the Department of Agriculture to improve home gardening to improve food security as well as to improve the forest density.