LOLC Green kicks off islandwide Schools Tree Planting Programme
LOLC Green recently inaugurated its islandwide Schools Tree Planting Programme to promote the habit of tree planting and to raise awareness on deforestation and its impact to Sri Lanka, amongst the schoolchildren.
The programme is part of a wider Sustainability campaign implemented by the LOLC group, under its Sustainability Committee, LOLC Green.
The initial phase of the LOLC Green Schools Tree Planting Programme was unveiled at Liyangahawela Maha Vidyalaya in Bandarawela. The first step of this wider programme will see the planting of 3000 trees in 300 identified schools in all 25 districts.
The 3000 saplings will be planted within the first four months of the project. The LOLC group’s islandwide presence through its network of 245 locations will be aptly utilised to drive this programme.
Initially, 300 schools have been identified within a radius of five kilometres to the branches of LOLC Finance PLC and Commercial Leasing & Finance PLC (CLC). Each branch office and its staff members have been entrusted to work closely with the administrators and students of the selected schools to monitor and record the growth of the plants.
The branches will also organise orientation sessions with the schools in order to create awareness on the importance of planting and nurturing trees to mitigate the effects of climate change. The LOLC Green Schools Tree Planting Programme will be led by a project committee for every school comprising of the school principal, teacher in charge, student coordinator and the LOLC Finance or CLC branch coordinator.
A variety of mango plants ranging from Willard, Kartha Kolomban, Vella Kolomban, Dampara, Alphonso and Tom EJC have been selected for this project. The plants will be sourced from the Agricultural Department’s regional nurseries and distributed to the selected schools by LOLC Green.
Speaking at the event, Bandarawela Liyangahawela Maha Vidyalaya Principal Venerable Liyangahawela Rathanajothi Thera said, “The students, teachers and parents of our school wish to extend their fullest support towards this project. To make a change in this country, we must first educate our children and we are encouraged to see that big companies such as LOLC have understood the importance of doing so.”
He emphasised, “We don’t want to see this as another tree planting programme and that is why we want this project to be well monitored both by the school and officials of LOLC, whilst developing a good relationship between the two.” LOLC Green Schools Tree Planting Programme Project Head Mohan Thilakawardena and LOLC General Insurance Assistant General Manager said, “The overall goal is to create a greener Sri Lanka whilst making Sri Lankans live healthier. Through this initiative we get to educate our future generation about the importance of safeguarding our environment and we are also able to give them a specific responsibility of taking care of the trees.
This, I believe will give them a sense of ownership of the project and they will be encouraged to take this habit beyond the boundaries of the school. LOLC Green will be right beside to assist and guide them on this green journey.”
Following a stringent review and monitoring process at the end of the first year, LOLC Green intends to select the Best Branch amongst the LOLC Finance and CLC branch network and the Best School amongst the schools involved to present them with the LOLC Green Award for their outstanding efforts and contribution.
The LOLC group is committed to working closely with all its stakeholders to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change through its reforestation and renewable energy programmes spearheaded under LOLC Green to ensure a safer and greener tomorrow.