Green villages in the offing

Haritha Gammana, the ‘green village’ programme of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry was officially launched by Minister Champika Ranawaka to coincide with the government’s Gama Neguma (village development) programme. The Minister, addressing the ceremony held at the Ministry premises, said the government will focus its attention on developing villages such as Embilipitiya to ensure that the benefits of development activities also reach the masses in villages.

He pointed out the fuel crisis as one of the pressing issues affecting the country at the moment, and said the Haritha Gammana programme is expected to initiate a solution to this crisis by paving the way for the use of natural energy resources in the environment such as wind and firewood.

“The programme is also aimed at promoting a simple way of life to be followed by the masses, to face environmental challenges ahead of time,” the Minister said.