(UTV|COLOMBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena said that the biggest challenge faced by the farmers in Sri Lanka is the uncertain climatic conditions. “Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for people living in the rural areas of Sri Lanka and it has much potential for greening and to be climate smart. We like to see Sustainable Consumption and Production and science and technology are applied in our Agriculture,” he said.
Speaking at the 4th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in Nairobi, Kenya on (14), the President said Sri Lanka signed the Paris Agreement, which is unprecedented global commitment to combat climate change. He pointed out that Sri Lanka has been listed as the second highest in the global climate risk index of 2019 and implementing of climate actions are very vital to our country.
“Being a follower of the Buddhist philosophy, I firmly believe that we are responsible for securing the sustenance of, not only mankind, but also the life on earth as a whole,” Sirisena said.
Stating that poverty is a significant cause for global environmental problems, he added that environment degradation and poverty are closely inter-related and inseparable, particularly in developing countries.
These problems, at the same time, provided us opportunities to be innovative, he said and added, “I am pleased and excited about the timely theme of UNEA-4, which has captured most challenges faced by countries including island nations such as ours.”
He said that development of agriculture would not only help strengthening the financial position of the rural farmers and various others involved in the process, but also that of the country as a whole.
Sirisena emphasised that Sri Lanka also as a country rich in nature, culture and heritage would like to capitalise on nature and nature related sustainable businesses to drive the socio-economic development. In that context the UNEA-4 provide a sound base and tools towards managing and using nature, he said.
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