“We need to develop clean, green, people-friendly cities”: Secretary Defence at IEPSL Annual Session

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest of the 6th Annual Session of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka on Thursday at the Water’s Edge hotel in Battaramulla.

Upon arrival at the venue the Secretary Defence was cordially welcomed by the President of Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe.

Held under the theme ‘Urban Regeneration and Environmental Balance,’ the session saw a number of eminent professionals and experts in the relevant field gather at the venue to deliberate on issues pertinent to the theme.

The IEPSL is the umbrella organisation of environmental professionals in the country. It was established in 2006 through a Cabinet Paper. IEPSL is the professional institute for the practicing environmentalist with the objective of upholding the dignity and raising the reputation of the environmental profession in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the event the Defence Secretary said that as Sri Lanka is poised for a rapid development drive, it is necessary to ensure that the on-going development efforts are both balanced and sustainable in the long term.

The IEPSL has a role to play in enhancing the capability of environmental professionals to professionally assess and make insightful recommendations in this regard as economic development should go hand in hand with social welfare and environmental conservation he added.

He noted that the ongoing and proposed major development projects undertaken by foreign companies reflect the confidence that the international community has in the stability and peace that Sri Lanka presently enjoys, as well as their optimism about the country’s future prospects.

Speaking further he said, urban development is a key area which has seen significant improvements within a short span of time and in order to uplift the living and working environment of the people the government has taken a great deal of effort to improve the standards of Colombo, its suburbs, and other key cities around the country.

He reiterated the importance of building civic consciousness in order to preserve the environment. The displaying of billboards and hording which distort the greenery will be regulated and more modern ways of advertising should be adopted, he said.

The Secretary Defence noted that by creating and maintaining greener, cleaner cities with more public open spaces for people to enjoy, and by improving the infrastructure available within the urban spaces Sri Lanka will be to make full use of its development potential and become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

The Secretary Defence was bestowed with the honour of the first Charter membership of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka. He later presented certificates of membership to new members. The keynote address was made by renowned architect Hester Basnayake.

Officials of the IEPSL and a large number of guests were present at the occasion.