Call for environment-friendly political campaigns

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Environment Ministry yesterday called upon all political party supporters involved in the forthcoming North Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Election campaigns to refrain from using polythene and plastic sign boards and help the Government's endeavour of destroying possible dengue mosquito breeding grounds.

According to a senior Environment Ministry official, steps will be taken to crack down on offenders who violate the Ministry guidlenes and use excessive amounts of polythene during the election period.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told the Sunday Observer that the Health Department deploy officials and spends a large sum of money almost everyday to fight the dengue menace, destroying mosquito breeding grounds even in private lands.

He said excessive use of polythene for the election campaign will create more dengue breeding grounds unless they are properly removed afterwards.

The Minister also warned party supporters to refrain from discarding plastic bottles, lunch wrappers and other litter at places where political meetings are held since they could also cause severe environmental pollution.

He said Divisional Secretariats in these Provincial Councils have already been advised to take strict measures against persons who violate these regulations.

The Minister said persons who operate temporary food outlets should make arrangements to remove the litter and other refuse in a proper way to benefit those who attend political meetings.