When the attention of entire world is paid on the environmental preservation, everybody should act to protect the environment considering it not as a responsibility, but as a human duty.

The President was speaking at the National Green Awards Ceremony held yesterday (Oct. 05) at BMICH to commend and award recognized environmental friendly citizens.

The environmental preservation is important for the existence of entire beings including humans. If any harm is occurred to the environment everybody should prevent it by forgetting the economic benefits and stop the destruction of the country.

The President pointed out that we still cannot find solutions to the problems of solid waste and garbage due to the lack of institutional coordination. He further said that the new Government is expected to find a solution to these issues through a joint program with coordination of all the institutions.

The National Green Awards are given for several categories and awardees are selected by a distinguished panel of judges. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit winners are selected under these categories according to their performance for green initiatives.

President Sirisena symbolically handed over awards to few recipients.

Anuradha Jayaratne- Deputy Minister of Mahaweli and Environment, Udaya R. Seneviratne- Secretary at Ministry of Mahaweli and Environment, Karunasena Hettiarachchi- Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Lal Mervin Dharmasiri – Chairman of Central Environmental Authority and other dignitaries participated in the event.