Importing of chainsaws to be banned , new sawmills won't be registered : President

President Maithripala Sirisena today (Jun 6) said that a gazette would be issued to ban the import of chainsaws used for felling trees while also adding that steps would be taken to stop registering new sawmills.

The President who is also Environment Minister told a gathering today that a mechanism to assist saw mill owners to find new jobs will also be implemented in the near future.

"Such programmes must be implemented for atleast a decade to increase forest cover and to create a sustainable enviornment for the people to live," the President told an event held to commemorate World Enviornment Day.

During his address the President lamented over the failure to implement certain regulations which he had introduced in his capacity as Enviornment Minister to protect the enviornment.

He pointed out that it is the duty of every citizen to implement certain laws such as the banning of polythene to create a better future for the country's younger generation.

Mr. Sirisena also urged academics to share the knowledge and experience gained by attending international enviornment-related events in order to be practiced within the country.