CSR:

S-lon's Foxhill Green reforestation initiative

S-lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, pioneer of thermoplastic water management systems in Sri Lanka, as part of their CSR initiative, joined hands with the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C) to initiate the first phase of the Diyatalawa Foxhill Green Reforestation Project at the Foxhill'mountain range Diyatalawa at a colourful ceremony recently.

This is an extension of the on-going 'S-lon Diyasara Student Circle' project initiated to educate and create awareness of environmental concerns and the need for water conservation among students, the future generation of Sri Lanka.

The Foxhill Green Reforestation Project was initiated with the objective of preserving the ecological system in the Foxhill area, which is rich in natural diversity but under threat due to increased human activity such as encroachment, deforestation and natural calamities such as soil erosion.

The launch ceremony was followed by a Foxhill Green Walk in line with this initiative with the support of stake agencies, school children and Tri services personnel.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Major General Sumedha Perera, Commander, SFHQ-C, S.C. Weerasekera, Group Director, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd, Yasarath Kamalsiri, Director/General Manager, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd, Major General Mano Perera, Commander, Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Brigadier R.W.W.A.D.B. Rajaguru, Commandant, SLMA and several other senior executives from S-lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Tri-service personnel and the Police, civil sector environmental activists, students and invited guests joined the Foxhill Walk from the Polo grounds at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA). Major General Sumedha Perera, Commander,

SFHQ-C flagged off the event and joined the walk with others.

Speaking on the occasion S.C. Weerasekera, Group Director, Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd said that, "It is not an exaggeration to say that the air we breathe in and breathe out is directly because of trees. A tree provides the annual supply of oxygen that is enough for 10 people.

Thus, for every tree that is cut today, the supply of oxygen to 10 people will also be reduced. Can we afford to destroy trees?" he queried.

Commenting on the importance of nurturing the project, he said "When there is a project, there is a beginning. However, there is no continuation. We need to have focus on the saplings that we plant today until they become trees of great size".

Major General Sumedha Perera in his speech underlined the importance of preserving the ecological balance in the area for our future generations as well as those still serving the armed forces.

He reminded that Diyatalawa was the home for thousands of officers in the tri-services and that it should be preserved. He also thanked the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva for taking a personal interest in the project and for his support.

Over 1200 tree saplings such as Kamaranka, Kumbuk, Mee, Ambul Pera and Jak were planted in most wanted areas of nearly 2300 acres where a number of sports and racing events of the Army and services take place throughout the year.S-lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was awarded with an appreciative memento by the SFHQ-C Commander for its commitment and support towards the project.