President inaugurates national coastal cleaning program

President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday inaugurated the national coastal cleaning program this morning at the Galle Face Green to clean up the country’s beaches.

The event, organised by the Marine Environment Protection Authority under the theme of ‘Sayura Rakimu Api Surekemu’ (Save the Ocean for Our Protection), was launched to coincide with International Coastal Cleanup Day on 19 September.

According to oceanic region law, the area of 1700 kms around Sri Lanka has been named as the Coastal Pollution Prevention Zone. Therefore, the International Coastal Cleanup Day is significant for Sri Lanka.

President Sirisena said that it was the responsibility of every Sri Lankan to keep the coast clean.

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil, Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya, Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon, senior Government officials and environmentalists participated in the coast cleanup.

The program aims to collect and maintain data on marine pollution, increase people’s knowledge on the marine environment and make an attitude change among the public to minimise coastal pollution.

Running parallel with the main program, several other events were held in the Gampaha and Kalutara districts on 19 September and more are slated to be held in the Puttalam, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts on 21 September. On 22 September, programs will be held in the Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts. On 23 September, events will be lined up for the Matara, Galle and Hambantota districts.

The pollution of the ocean is a problem which affects the health of people, wildlife and local economies. Policymakers use International Coastal Cleanup data to raise awareness about marine debris and reduce the problem at the source.