President cautions against further loss of forest cover if measures are not taken

President Maithripala Sirisena has claimed that politicians and racketeers were  responsible for destroying forest cover in countries where wars were not being fought.

While pointing out that over 28 percent of the country's forest cover is located in the North-Eastern Province, the President claimed  that these forests were protected due to the LTTE terrorist organisation which sought shelter in these areas.

He made these remarks while addressing a ceremony which was organised to commemorate the International Day of Forests in Dimbulagala today (Mar 21).

The President also cautioned that Sri Lanka would lose its entire forest cover within the next 15 years if measures are not taken to conserve and protect these enviornments.

On the same lines, Mr. Sirisena added that 148,000 hectares of forest land will have to be replanted in order to increase the country's density of forest cover upto 32 percent within the next three years.