The first phase of the urban forest creation initiative under the “Clean Sri Lanka” program commenced this morning (30) near the Kelani Bridge in Peliyagoda.
This environmental project is being implemented as part of the “Turu Kepakaru” initiative led by S-Lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Capital Maharaja Group, in conjunction with Zero Waste Day.
Under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat, and with the collaboration of the Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, Colombo Municipal Council, and both public and private sectors, the program aims to transform government-owned land between the Nawaloka Roundabout and the New Kelani Bridge into a lush urban forest.
A unique aspect of the initiative is the involvement of students from schools, universities, and Dhamma schools, who have been entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing and protecting the trees. Specifically, students from the Dharmawijaya Dhamma School in Peliyagoda have been tasked with caring for the trees planted near the Kelani Bridge.
To monitor progress, an innovative mobile application has been introduced to track the growth and condition of each tree, including information about its caregivers.
Speaking at the inauguration, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake highlighted that the project goes beyond a typical tree-planting campaign, describing it as a people-centric movement aligned with the broader objectives of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative to foster environmental, social, and ethical renewal.
Dr. Kumanayake emphasized the importance of public participation for sustainability, noting the limited success of past government-led tree planting efforts.
Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody, attending as a special guest, discussed the importance of urban forests within the framework of the green city concept. He stressed the need for attitudinal change and public accountability to ensure the long-term success of such projects.
Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Construction Anura Karunathilaka acknowledged the dual impacts of urbanization—greater convenience but also environmental degradation. He affirmed the value of urban forest initiatives in mitigating issues such as air and water pollution and global warming.
Also addressing the event were Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage, Capital Maharaja Group Operations Manager S.C. Weerasekara, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu.
The event was attended by the local Maha Sangha, senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, S-Lon Lanka CEO Nalin Jayawardena, PE-plus CEO Shehan Amarasinghe, municipal commissioners, officials from the Urban Development Authority and Road Development Authority, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, and senior police and army officers.
(Presidential Media Division)
