Sinharaja’s Shining Star

It is disheartening to see 19-year-old Bhagya Abeyratne, who spoke out against the deforestation in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve being treated so wrongly by the State. She only expressed her concern regarding the deforestation and had to undergo numerous police interrogations, mudslinging on social media and people in power dismissing her claims.

As a child belonging to the future of this country, it is her right to be concerned about the wanton destruction taking place in this country, especially the deforestation occurring next to her own home. Instead of supporting and enabling her to pursue her interest in environmental activism -- the State is putting her down. SevernCullis Suzuki was only 12 when she spoke up at the Rio Summit about the environmental destruction she was a witness to and currently she is an environmental activist, author and television personality. She was also awarded the UNEP’S Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1993. Greta Thunberg was 15 when she started protesting outside the Swedish Parliament calling for stronger action against climate change. She was able to cause a global revolution urging children and youth to become interested in climate change. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as well.

In contrast, the State not only tried to stifle Bhagya’s voice but also the voices of several youth environmental activists by taking down the ‘Ecocide Mural’ painted by schoolchildren opposite the Town Hall.

Environmental destruction is destructive for all of us. It is dangerous for Sri Lanka, our Motherland. So shouldn’t we be glad our youth understand this and want change? We should be proud of youth like Bhagya and encourage them. These youth should be also globally recognized, putting our Island Nation on the map for the right reasons.

Meanwhile, the government should pay heed to the voices of our environmental activists and put an immediate stop to the environmental destruction in the country before it is too late.