He made these comments on 15th September at the cleaning of the beach in Dehiwela in parallel to the International Coastal Cleanup Day.  

We are faced with the issues of global warming which has resulted in heavy rains, drought as well the lesser known fact sea erosion, said the minister.

Minister made a request to the people not to put garbage, sew waste to the sea or to water ways as it will affect the environment and the country and added that there is a plan to launch a program to clean the beaches every month.