Presidential Environment Awards 2016
Presidential Environment Awards for 2016 concluded today adjoined with Sri Lanka Next Conference 2016. This grand event was held with parallel to 5th Asia Pacific Adaptation Forum 2016, International Research Symposium, Expert Dialogue Forum on Blue – Green Economy, Exhibition on Blue- Green Economy with the Film festival on Blue- Green Economy and Environment.Awards ceremony was organized by Central Environment Authority to reward and felicitate the industrial and service sectors, individuals, non-governmental organizations and the students for their excellent performances, towards greening the economy. The winners were selected with a careful evaluation under a panel of professionals and academia.
H.E President Maithripala Sirisena stated “ I am pleased to emphasize that environment forms a key pillar in the development agenda of Sri Lanka. “
The Awards were given in the form of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit and children awards followed by Presidential medals for students of Environment Pioneer Brigades in Sri Lanka.
A total of 150 awards were given out today at the awards ceremony. Mr.Udaya Senevirathne Secretary to the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment stated that Sri Lanka Next- Blue Green Era is a national campaign to lead Sri Lanka towards a carbon free environment and sustainable development in keeping with the tenets of the Paris agreement for mitigation of green house gas emissions and adaptation of measures to minimize adverse effects of climate change. Therefore Presidential Environment Awards Ceremony is a prominent event in Sri Lanka Next- Blue Green Era.
We believe it’s equally important to honor and encourage those who have excelled in their contribution to conserve nature. This shows the importance to organize the awards ceremony with 5th Asia Pacific Adaptation Forum, says Prof.Lal Mervin Dharmasiri chairman to Central Environment Authority.
Veteran Environmentalists Attorney at Law Mr. Jagath Gunawardena received a special jury award for the service done for Environment. Mr. Jagath Gunawardena was a key person on environmental conservation and has been representing civil society to fight on environment destruction for more than 4 decades.
Lists of Key Award Winners
Haritabimani Special Award – Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena
Best State institution that are maintained in Environmentally Friendly manner – Eastern Naval Command SL Navy
Environment Friendly Farms – Small and Medium Scale – Hapugasthanna Estate
Environment Friendly Farms – Large Scale – Field Crop Research Mahailuppallama
Radio Sector Media – H. M Chandana Kumara FM ITN
Television Sector – Mr. W Sherly Upul Kumara Swarnavahini
Print Media – Mr.Nihal P Abeysinghe Silumina
Gold Winners
Industry – Textile – MAS Active Linea Intimo
Hotel – Barberyn Ayurveda Beach
Waste Management projects- Galgamuwa Pradeshiya Saba