World Environment Day 2019

“ BEAT AIR POLLUTION ”

The United Nations “World Environment Day – 2019” was commemorated by the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, with the distribution of 1000 Fruit Plants among Schools from Matara to Panadura on 4th June, 2019, culminating with a ceremony held at the National Secretariat of the United Nations Association in Panadura, on 5th June, 2019. This event was presided over by the UNASL President, Maj Gen Upul Perera.

Dr. Upali Jayawardena spoke on Environment Protection and Air Pollution, highlighting its importance and values. This was followed with a lecture by Dr. Amitha Bentota, Agricultural Consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture, who spoke on the need to plant trees in order to protect the environment. She also explained the scientific methods of planting and how to identify unhealthy plants and provide these plants with necessary food, as she called it.

In addition to the plants, several publications on Tree Planting, Environment, Air Pollution, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, etc., were presented to the schools. The UNASL is also conducting an Essay Competition within the Schools in the UNA Study Circle, encompassing the environment, tree planting, air pollution as well as the SDG’s. Simultaneously, there will also be a competition organized to monitor the progress of the plants distributed and the winners of all these competitions will be recognized on the United Nations Day – National Observance and will all be awarded with valuable Cash prizes.

Secretary General of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, Errol Smith, in a communique has highlighted that according to statistics, approximately 7 million people worldwide, die prematurely each year from Air Pollution with about 4 million of these deaths occurring in the Asia Pacific Region. He emphasized that, the World Environment Day – 2019, urges governments, industries, communities and individuals to come together to explore renewable energy and green technologies, to improve air quality in cities and regions across the globe.