Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-09-06

Declaration of 'The National Marine Resources Conservation Week'

- The accumulation of non-decayable substances on beaches and marine regions directly or through canals causes adverse effects to the marine ecosystems as well as to the related industries such as fishing and tourism. Therefore, it is essential to formulate a systematic arrangement with public participation to protect the marine ecosystems as well the sustainability of the related industries. As such, the proposal made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to declare the period from Saturday of the 3rd week to Saturday of the 4th week of September of every year as the 'National Marine Resources Conservation Week' simultaneously to the International Coastal Clean up Day, from this year onwards, to implement the coastal clean up and conservation programme with the participation and contribution of the general public, school children, government and non-governmental organizations from 17th to 23rd of September, 2016 and also to conduct its national celebration at the coastal stretch of Mattakkuliya, Colombo, on 17th of September, 2016, was approved by the Cabinet.