SriLankan Airlines supports ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’

SriLankan Airlines officially handed over the funds received from its staff engagement project ‘A plant for Wilpattu’ to Sri Lanka Army, on 20th February 2021, marking the completion of its first phase. The funds were officially accepted by Brigadier Suresh Perera, Commander of 542 infantry brigade - Sri Lanka Army, on behalf of the ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’ project at an event organized by the 54 division of SL Army at ‘Sinathnagar’ replanting site, Mannar.

The handing over event was represented by a team from SriLankan Airlines consisting of the Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers (ALAE), Flight Attendants Union (FAU) & Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) along with a few members of staff and the Environment unit.

The Environment Unit of SriLankan Airlines initiated ‘A plant for Wilpattu’- a staff engagement project on the environment day 2019, to support the ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’- a reforestation programme established by Sri Lanka Army to replant 2000 hectares in the forest complex adjoining the Wilpattu national park which was cleared to establish unauthorized settlements, making irreparable damage to the whole ecosystem and wildlife habitats in the area.

SriLankan Staff and its Unions generously contributed to this project, and with the help of the airline’s Green fund the environment unit raised LKR 680,000/-, the cost to replant and maintain a half an acre of forest patch for 3 years. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation at the time the unit was unable to officially handover the funds to SL Army as planned. However, in July 2020, with the upliftment of lockdown the environment unit visited the cleared area and managed to witness the progress the army has made in replanting while reserving a plot of land for the SriLankan project. It is also worthwhile to note that over 300 indigenous plants were replanted at the allocated ½ acre site at present and the maintenance of plants are carried out regularly by the SL Army personnel.

Overall, the phase 1 of the project ‘A plant for Wilpattu’ officially concluded as planned with symbolic tree planting, handing over the Cheque, establishing a hoarding at the site and a briefing regarding the progress the SL Army has achieved so far with the project ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’.

SriLankan Airlines Environment unit wishes to thank the airline management, the unions, staff, and each and every well-wisher who contributed & supported this project while emphasizing that the funds collected was put to good use. Also, the Sri Lanka Army convey their heartfelt gratitude to all the personal who supported the project ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’ and they are hopeful for the continued support for the future of the program.

Further, the SriLankan Environmental Unit wishes to place a record and to appreciate the commitment of few key members of the SL Army, such as Lt. Col. Manoj Kumara, Lt. Col. Bhathiya Jayaweera, Lt. Col. Sandun Dias for all the coordination’s and the support given while a special thanks to Brigadier Suresh Perera, Commander of 542 infantry brigade and finally, Major General A. Bandara, Commander of 54 Division for overall support and endorsements for the project.