(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that as a solution to the energy crisis prevailing in the country, a particular concern should be taken to convert solar power into electricity.
Addressing the World Habitat Day event on Monday (02) Prime Minister Gunawardena said nowadays, there is no any necessity to lay thousands of electric wires and spend millions of money to provide electricity to a colony in a remote area as they can be given power through solar panels.
This year’s World Habitat Day national event organized by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing under the theme “A safe urban economy” was held at Sethsiripaye in Battaramulla yesterday under the patronage of the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the event, the Premier said the world is constantly attempting to acquire basic human rights in human society. Certain agreements were made between countries, nations, and organizations regarding certain key issues pertaining to the human rights.
“Long years ago, the United Nations recognized food, shelter and clothing as basic human rights in human society. We are still moving towards that goal. Our country has been making great efforts for a long time and has shown its results. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly this year, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the world has not yet been able to solve this problem for small countries like us.”
“Poor huts are scattered around all these cities. Our then Prime Minister Mr. R. Premadasa presented the World Habitat Day proposal to the World Conference and it was taken into consideration by the World Conference. The United Nations Organization had to accept the proposal. Subsequently our state leaders were able to continue that agenda further.
During the period of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, millions of houses have been given to the low income earners of our country. At the same time he supported this project by preparing various programs to build houses.
Clean water is required for the health of the children living in these colonies as well as education to ensure their survival in future. Based on those facts, we must dedicate ourselves to build a colony that can meet the needs of life.
Our territory is not increasing. Likewise, the limited urban area should be managed properly. If not, we will face more problems. It is believed that on this World Habitat Day, there will be further discussions regarding the measures that can support the lives, safety, and development of people.
Today our challenges have changed. The time of watching in the dark is over. There is no need to run miles of electrical cables anymore. There is no need to spend millions of money to provide electricity to a colony. That has been proven. The challenge we face today is converting solar power into electricity. So you have to think anew. Costs should be reduced. New technology should be introduced in an eco- friendly manner. The United Nations is ready to support us in this regard. In the same way, we must overcome the challenge of planning all other fields.”
State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Thenuka Widanagamage, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Mr. W. S. Satyananda, Program Management Officer of the Sri Lanka Office of the United Nations Human Colonies Program, Mr Salem Karimzada also joined.
