Janathakshan launched

By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

A private sector non-profit organisation dedicated to environment-friendly solutions, Janathakshan (Guarantee) Limited was launched recently.

This organisation is expected to carry the legacy of Practical Action's 25 years of work in Sri Lanka empowering people with technological advancements for sustainable livelihood development.

"We are witnessing the setting up of Janathakshan, an organisation dedicated to environmental sensitivity in commercial activities and providing viable environment-friendly solutions. An organisation of this nature is the need of the hour as the world has understood the need to move away from harming nature for commercial profit, Janathakshan, Director Dr. Vishaka Hidellage said.

The name Janathakshan, taken from Sanskrit means people's technology. It aims at educating policy makers and communities of the consequences of environment-damaging practices and make them change to greener approaches.

It intends working with industries such as the hospitality sector which has a high LP gas cost and the problem of waste disposal.As Practical Actions' technology in bio-gas is considered as one of the best in the world, Janathakshan intends using this strength, she said.

Serious environmental concerns have arisen due to the way the economic development is being driven. "We will be advocating standards for the bio-gas industry with the intention of making the country go greener," she said.

Janathakshan is an entity set up by the staff of Practical Action, an organisation that had been in the forefront of introducing renewable energy, disaster risk management, reducing man-made environmental disasters, bio-agriculture, bio-fisheries, coastal conservation and adapting to climate changes.