Commitment to protect environment:

CHOGM leaders to plant trees in Hambantota

by Manjula Fernando

All visiting Heads of Government will take part in a tree planting campaign in Hambantota highlighting the Commonwealth of Nations' commitment to protect the environment.

Foreign Secretary Karunatilaka Amunugama said the leaders will be flown to the Commonwealth Botanical Garden in Mirijjawila, which is now under construction is the third botanical garden in Sri Lanka and the first in the Dry Zone, where the ceremony will he held.

"Everyone is talking about environment protection and climate change. We want to take action even in a symbolic way to show the commitment of the Commonwealth towards the environment.

This will be a unique item in the CHOGM 2013 agenda," the Foreign Secretary said.

Each leader will be given a special tree to be planted to mark the 22nd meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Sri Lanka.

It has been tentatively scheduled a day before the inauguration of the Heads' meeting on November 15.

Environment protection is one of the key concerns of the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Combating climate change and averting disasters in member states are emphasized at every Commonwealth leaders and officials meeting on an understanding to share experiences towards achieving this goal.