World Environment Day

A celebration of World Environment Day was held at CASP’s Ampara Office on Monday, May 5th. The ceremony was jointly organized by the Central Environmental Authority’s (CEA) Ampara Regional Office and the Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership, and was chaired by CEA’s Regional Office Assistant Director, MAC Najeeb. Also in attendance were Ampara Government Agent HM Herath Abeyweera, Ampara Urban Council Chairman Sarath Desappiriya, District Forest Officer Lalith Gamage, ASP Asanka Kerawita, and CASP President Douglas MacArthur,

The program began with the raising of the Sri Lankan flag by Government Agent Abeyweera and the Canadian Flag by Mr. MacArthur, while the Central Environmental Authority’s flag was put in place by Mr. Najeeb. This was followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the singing of national anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada.

The highlight of the celebration was the tree planting ceremony, which was started by Mr. Abeyaweera along with Doug and Bev MacArthur. President/Director of Lewis HMJ Consultants Inc. Ray Halsey, Gender Specialist Marnie Giravan, CASP’s Financial Controller M.M. Razeen, Kalmunai Office Manager Ifthi Mirzah, and CASP’s Akkaraipattu Staff also planted saplings.

Speeches were made on the preservation of the environment and the consequences of negligence in this sector. The program was concluded with a PowerPoint presentation by Mr. Najeeb on the environmental challenges which must be confronted in order to move Ampara District into the future. A final vote of thanks was presented by Environmental Officer MM Jesfer.