UTV | COLOMBO – Former Minister of Environment Ajith Mannapperuma charges that 44 incidents of large-scale environmental damage have been reported during the seven months since the government came into power.
Speaking at a media briefing at the office of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Mannapperuma said the present government will go down in history as the government that caused the most harm to the environment during a short time span.
He said a 300-acre plot of land in Pidurangala was due to be released for komarika plantation, the Olugala forest reserve was cut down in the Anuradhapura District and efforts are underway to engage in sand mining in the Hambantota forest reserve under the pretence of road development.
Mannapperuma charged that ploys are under way to cut down forest areas in Knuckles as well.
He charged that since coming into power this government has harmed the environment on 44 occasions, and claimed the government will go into the Guinness Book of Records for harming the environment during a short period of eight months.
The former Minister stated that the government is disinterested in development or helping people’s livelihoods improve or in reducing the cost of living.
He said the government is only interested in a two thirds majority, while the in the meantime is in turmoil.