Ecocide Mural damaged the environment - President

Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the Ecocide Mural which was set up at the Viharamahadevia Park in Colombo had caused damage to the environment adding displaying murals is not the way to protect nature.

"I put an end to posters and billboards in the Colombo City," he said adding protecting the environment means developing it. Referring to his projects of the past including the construction of wetland parks in Colombo's suburbs, the President said those who speak ill of his policies have not done any such project, let alone anything for the environment. "There is no point in speaking of the environment from Colombo if we cannot ensure the people survive," said the President. "When I visit villages, the people from almost every district tell me that the lands they enjoyed for generations were pillaged by the state and they have no way going back to farming," said the President adding he instructed the wildlife officers to approach these issues with a practical perspective and not by demarcating areas using Google Maps. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa further said that over the past 05 years many lands, in acres, were cleared and those who cry foul about his policies were tight-lipped during that time. "It appears that deforestation commenced after I was elected to power, and that is how they portray it. The people should not be deceived by such propaganda that is spread against a government that is protecting the local identity and the religion with a clear policy," said the President. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5vLYg3T2Xk&t=301s[/embed]