DailyMirror
A group of Environmentalists yesterday called on the public to be more environmentally conscious when casting their votes at the upcoming general elections and elect politicians who do not pollute the environment in their campaigns.
Addressing a media briefing Environmentalist and popular actress Irangani Serasinghe said as responsible citizens the public should elect representatives who are protecting the environment and not those who have the highest number of posters and cutouts.
“When the elections are over the posters and cutsouts put up by these politicians will be food to the cows and goats and the milk we drink from them will harm us, she added .
Environmentalist Pubudu Weerantne said the amount of money spent by these politicians for their banners and cutouts can be used for better public services.
“The money spent by these politicians on banners and posters is not for the affection of the public but to take back the money they spent when in power ,“ he added.
Also speaking at the briefing Environmentalist Jagath Gunawardene said the amount of flour used in pasting the posters is just unbelievable at a time when there is a food crisis.
“In Matara district during the last presidential election a MP bought around 250,000 bags of flour just to paste posters and cutouts. So just imagine the amount of flour used at the rate of posters seen on our streets, “ he added.
The Environmentalists also raised their concern about the amount of fuel used by the politicians for campaigning and the carbon it releases which harm the environment very badly.
“We complain of higher fuel prices but if fuel is used at this rate by the politicians we are on a really bad track ,“the Environmentalists warned.
Some politicians have started this new trend of Eco friendly campaigning but these are the candidates who gave Sinharaja to a hotel they pointed out.
Environmentalist Teles Kariyawasam said MPs get a maximum salary of Rs. 100,000 a month and the parliament has been there for 77 months only “.So where do they get the money to have such massive campaigns,” he questioned.
Being a member of parliament is just a job so why do they spend a large amount on campaigning, this shows they are here just to make money and not to serve the public he added.