The President made the address at the inaugural session of the Rio+20 where 130 Heads of State were in attendance.

President Rajapaksa said he was proud to mention that the structure of development in Sri Lanka is homegrown and eco-friendly. He stressed that the policy of not polluting and conserving the environment should be accepted by all nations and responsibilities should not be neglected to protect the environment in developing countries by the developed nations.

‘Ancient Sri Lanka achieved economic and environment of sustainability and political and social stability through a proper environment management system, he explained.

The President reminisced on the first historical dialogue between Arahat Mahinda, a disciple of the Buddha and an ancient Sri Lankan King Devanam Piyatissa in which it was highlighted that “the King is the custodian of the environment and the earth.”

The President stressed that post war Sri Lanka is heading towards rapid economic growth and has overcome the threats which originated internationally through local policies which brought out the Mahinda Chinthana policy initiative. “The infrastructure facilities of the country are rapidly developing and ample investment opportunities exist in the country. We experience all these developments while being committed to protect and preserve the environment”, the President added.