Tree planting at Hambantota

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Commonwealth Heads of Government took part in a tree-planting ceremony in Hambantota last Thursday.

The ceremony, which symbolised the Commonwealth organisation's commitment to environmental conservation, was held at the Mirijjawila Dry Zone Botanic Garden in Hambantota, the only dry zone botanical garden in the island. Over 25 delegates, which included presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers and other heads of delegations planted trees at the event.

The delegates, representing Commonwealth countries, were in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013 being held in Colombo from November 15 - 17 (today).

President Rajapaksa planted a Neralu tree (Cassine balae), a medicinal plant which is endemic to Sri Lanka's dry zone.