Environment Ministry to set world record

The Ministry of Environment will set a world record by planting 1.1 million saplings islandwide within 11 minutes on November 15, to mark President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second swearing in, a spokesperson for the ministry said. The main event will be held at Temple Trees on November 15 at 10.07 a.m.

The Ministry has called upon the public to plant at least one sapling on November 15 in this national activity.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that with the enthusiastic response from the Chief Ministers from all the Provinces and private and public sector institutions their target could be even doubled.

“We need to increase the forest coverage in Sri Lanka and this will be a national program in achieving that too well,” Minister Yapa said. “According to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s vision for tomorrow - our aim is to give the future generation a greener and fertile environment,” he said.