Govt. compelled to import rice today: UNP

By Yohan Perera   

Government has been compelled to import rice today as a result of the clearance of forest cover and environmental pollution, UNP alleged yesterday.   

The UNP front-liners who launched ‘Parisara Handa’ which is a programme launched by the party’s youth wing ‘Jathika Yovun Peramuna’ recently said it is sad to note the absence of an environment concerned administration today.   

These were the views expressed by UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, former MPs Sandith Samarasinghe, Ashu Marasinghe and UNP Colombo District candidate at the general elections Ajantha Perera.   
“Expressways are constructed by clearing the country’s forest cover and it is acts such as these which have forced the government to import rice,” Ms. Perera said.   

Expressways are constructed by clearing the country’s forest cover and it is acts such as these which have forced the government to import rice

Mr. Wijewardene said the time had come to rethink what exactly the county had done in the guise of development.   “At least seven acres are cleared in Sri Lanka daily in the guise of development,” he said.