President Mahinda Rajapaksa, inaugurating the countrywide 1.1 million tree planting campaign, stated that Global warming, today had become the greatest challenge in the history of the world and Sri Lanka has shown its commitment to environmental protection.

“This was a man-made catastrophe. We are aware that developed countries released a large quantity of carbondioxide to the environment. We in Sri Lanka emits only a negligible quantity of carbondioxide which was a few decimal points. This showed that we in Sri Lanka are ahead in environmental protection than most developed nations,” he said.

“Historically too we had been an environment friendly nation. Our villagers respected trees and the environment so much that they clasped hands and worshiped a tree before climbing or cutting it down. Our forefathers used to plant a tree before cutting down one to ensure that it was instantly replaced without harming the environment,” he said.

“That practice has changed today. Therefore, we should bring about an attitudinal change in the people,” President Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lankans by participating in this island wide tree planting program had showed they are a proud nation which had rendered a great service towards the future generation, he added. We should ensure the maintenance of those trees by caring and looking after them till they grew up,” he said.

“We are today living in a free and independent country. At a time when we take a giant step forward after rebuilding the nation, we should be able to breathe fresh air as free and independent people. In this regard we have today participated in a program to give life to the nation,” President Rajapaksa said.

President inaugurated the tree planting campaign by planting a sapling at the Janadhipathi Mandiraya at the auspicious time of 10.07 am yesterday. This campaign is part of the week’s national celebrations to mark the President’s inauguration for the second term of office.

The members of the Maha Sangha, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Ministers, Parliamentarians and State officials were also present on the occasion.