The message stated, "The fascinating relationship based on mutual harmony and coexistence between man and environment goes back to the beginning of the history itself.

"The World Environment Conference in 1972 decided to mark June 5 as World Environment Day to focus attention every year on the imperative need to protect and sustain the environment. Sri Lanka's national theme of World Environment Day for this year is 'Sustainable Cosuumption - Protects the Earth'.

"As children of nature, we have a duty and responsibility to protect the environment that we inherited and prevent any human activity harmful to the atmosphere and the ecosystem. It is essential to strictly implement the laws to protect flora and fauna and take action against persons who violate such laws irrespective of their status and ensure that environmental impact assessments are conducted at the embryonic stage of development projects.

"The government is determined to protect forests and wildlife and new amendments to the existing laws will be introduced to prevent destruction of forests and environment. Persons who indulge in destruction of forests or harm environment will be punished under the laws of the country. This exercise is aimed at creating a generation that loves the environment, flora and fauna.

"We all must dedicate ourselves on this World Environment Day to create a tomorrow that protects the environment."