A program to sensitize government officials on the "Suppression and Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species, Giant Mimosa pigra, and other Invasive Alien Species" organized by the Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the World Environment Day on June 05th, was held today at the Kegalle District Secretariat Auditorium under the patronage of Kegalle District Secretary/Government Agent H. M. J. M. Herath, Additional District Secretary Dilip Nishantha, Additional District Secretary T. Kusum Bandara.

The workshop began after a welcome speech by the District Secretary and an explanation of the objectives by Ms. Chandani Wilson, Director (Biodiversity) of the Ministry of Environment. Professor Buddhi Marambe, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Chairman of the National Expert Group on Invasive Species of the Ministry of Environment, delivered a special lecture on "Introduction, Control and Management of Giant Invasive Species of the The government officials present were informed about quarantine pests and the legal framework for keeping, breeding, spreading, etc., once such a pest has been designated.
This workshop, organized by the Assistant Director (Biodiversity) of the Ministry of Environment, Ms. Nilmini Ranasinghe, was attended by agricultural research officers, environmental officers, Grama Seva officers, and government officials of the Ministry of Environment, including Divisional Secretariat Division 11 of the district, and concluded as a successful workshop.