On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army, a tree-planting initiative conceptualized by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, commenced with the planting of 75,000 saplings. Under the supervision of the Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, the event was inaugurated with the ceremonial planting of a ‘Rath Handun’ sapling by the Army Chief at the Army Headquarters premises.
Simultaneously, tree-planting activities took place at the Sri Jayawardenepura Army Agricultural Project site, with the participation of Fatima Aluwihare from the Department of Forest Conservation, Shyamini Periyapperuma from the Central Environmental Authority, and environmental activist Nethmi Hiranya Kolambawithana, along with Senior Officers.
Across Security Forces, Divisions, Brigades, and Battalions, 37,365 saplings were planted with resources provided by the Department of Forest Conservation, the Central Environmental Authority, and various environmental activists. Additionally, 2,500 saplings, sponsored by the State Timber Corporation, were planted in schools across Galle, Karandeniya, Welikanda, Kandakadu, Iranamadu, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya.
Furthermore, 15,000 cinnamon saplings were planted at the Army farm in Kohilawagurawatta, while 1,500 TEJC mango saplings were planted at Army farms in Iranamadu and Adiyapuliyankulam. Another 15,000 saplings were planted with sponsorship from TJ Lanka Private Ltd at various Army farms.
