CEA strives to expand environment training

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Central Environment Authority CEA is to set up a National Environment Training School to expand their public education programs with a more systematic approach.

“Environment protection and cleanliness need to start either in the family, office or within small communities. People need to know more about the environment and the consequences of polluting it,” said CEA Chairman Wimal Rubasinghe.

“The CEA has conducted education programs over a long period and we have experts on different fields of environmental studies. This step does not require new funds or infrastructure. We are using the existing human resource and material to start the new education system in a more organised manner,” Rubasinghe said.

Under the new set-up training courses for different levels of the society will be created. Different courses will be conducted for professionals at various government and private institutes, schools and local authorities. “Each and every person should be concerned about the environment in office and at home.

The local authorities need to pay more attention when approving plans for new constructions,” he said. As the initial step the CEA has started education courses for staff members and expects to expand soon.