'Witnessed Destruction Of Wilpattu': President

President Maithripala Sirisena stated that he saw the destruction that has taken place in Wilpattu with his own eyes when he was flying to Jaffna last week.

Sirisena made this comment during the National event to mark the World Environmental Day. The event was held near the ancient Watadage at Medirigiriya in Polonnaruwa District.

Speaking further, the president said that the destruction at Wilpattu happened due to bad political decisions.

Sirisena also said that the forest cover of Sri Lanka is currently much lower than what is said in books and maps. Most of what is left remains in the north, he added.

He also said that during the last few years, several mega projects were carried out without any environmental impact assessments. These have led to various problems, he said/.

Sirisena pledged that he will not let any businessman or politician to destroy Sri Lanka’s forests during his term in office.