In response to the island wide program ‘Wana Ropa’ initiated by the Government to add 2,889 hectares to the national forest cover as well as to commemorate its 80th Anniversary, the Bank lk62of Ceylon has committed to restore 100 hectares of degraded forest in Hurulu Conservation Forest under ‘BOC Haritha Arana’.
The ceremony marking the beginning of this project was held at a land stretch close to Habarana Morakanda attached to the Hurulu Conservation.
The event was graced by President Maithripala Sirisena and Ajith Mannapperuma, State Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment as well as Ronald C Perera, Chairman, BOC and Russell Fonseka, Acting General Manager.
“With the current pressure on nature posed by climate change, and degradation of ecological system on earth, it is made to be a duty of every country to make a significant contribution to protect the nature by many international conventions and agreements. The Bank takes this as an opportunity to assist the country to increase its forest cover up to 32 percent and meet with internationally agreed standards,” said Ronald C Perera, Chairman, Bank of Ceylon.
Senarath Bandara, CEO and GM, BOC said, “We’ve always considered it to be our duty to contribute to the economy, environment, and society. We believe we are setting an exam-ple for every individual, every business and corporate to join in this noble endeavor to assist the Government.”
The project was carefully planned with a long term over-view to maintain the area con-tinuously for three years, until it is has matured adequately to be self-sustaining.
The Bank will ensure that proper maintenance will be conducted and records will be kept during this time period to ensure a quality outcome of this project.
