Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary and former Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman, Charitha Herath was bestowed with a special award in recognition of his efforts at protecting and developing the environment during his tenure as the CEA head at the National Green Awards – 2012 on Monday.
The ceremony to present 2012 National Green Awards for sectors promoting greener environment was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Green Awards organized by the Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Environment was held for the second consecutive year.
Sri Lanka’s industries and service sector orgnizations which have made outstanding contributions to maintain a cleaner and greener environment through pollution control, waste and resources management, cleaner production and green productivity were recognized and rewarded for their good environmental performance at “National Green Awards – 2012”
Awards were presented under three categories to 46 sectors in Chemical, Pharmaceutical & Petrochemical, Waste Recycling, Textile and Textile Processing, Hotels, Livestock Farming, Hospitals, apparels, Vehicle Servicing Centers, Food & Beverages, Rubber and Rubber Based Products, Mini Hydro Power Projects, Construction Projects, Local Authorities (Waste management), Private Enterprises, Public Institutes and Schools sectors.
President said that this kind of recognition will encourage both award winners as well as others to maintain greater standards in demonstrating good environmental performance. He also stressed that the present government plants to reach its development goals while protecting and preserving the environment.
Minister of Environemnt Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and CEA Chairman Wimal Rubasinghe also spoke at this occasion.
Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Nimal Siripala de Silva, Deputy Minister Abdul Cader and Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake were also present.