National World Environment Day Event Held Under Presidential Leadership
The National World Environment Day 2026 commemorative event was held on Friday (05) morning at the President’s House in Colombo under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Mobilizing for Climate Action.”
On this occasion, five forest areas—Ritigala, Aliyawetunuwewa, Mulagala, Kongahawela, and Kallanchiya—were officially declared protected forest reserves by the Forest Conservation Department.
The event also marked the introduction of the enhanced National Green Reporting Guidelines. In addition, the Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department declared the Magama sand dune area as a vulnerable zone, while the Department of Wildlife Conservation announced the release of elephant corridors. The “Guda Bubula” water spring and “Kapuralla” hot-water wetland area were also declared as forest reserves.
The ceremony further included the launch of the 2026 edition of the “Soba” environmental magazine, the “Soba Getha” publication, and a book on plastic waste management.
A certificate confirming that the event was conducted as a carbon-neutral program was also presented to the President. Awards were given to winners of the Climate Change Division’s art competition and to innovators recognized by the Central Environmental Authority.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment Endan Jayakody, Acting Secretary of the Environment Ministry R.H.M.P. Abeykoon, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority Prof. Tilak Hewawasam, Director General of Wildlife Conservation S.M.L.R.P. Marasinghe, along with environmental activists, researchers, university students, and school students.
