The Ratnapura District Environment Conservation Summit was held at the Seewali Grounds in Ratnapura on Thursday, under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The primary objective of this summit was to publicise the National Programme on Environment Conservation.

Speaking at the event, the president said:

The powerful nations in the world who advise, warn and preach to small nations like us, have become the pioneers of environmental destruction.

The president, who noted that small countries like Sri Lanka have signed and agreed to certain international charters on the environment and certain international declarations, but the world powers have either rejected or refrained from agreeing or signing these documents.

• MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam arrested in Colpetty
• Views to be obtained from media over Broadcasting Authority Bill
• President to meet members of Committee on Public Finance
• Exam fraud reported at three O/L exam centres
• Dengue risk increases in Sri Lanka