The lane was declared open by the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Speaking at the event the Minister Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka should get over its obsession on four lane roads which will only see a rise in the number of vehicles on the road and instead should reserve lanes for cyclists and pedestrians to encourage people to adopt green modes of transportation.

He said that the carbon released to the atmosphere by the vehicles is a main cause of destruction and environment pollution. More carbon being released to the atmosphere causes the increase of heat and green house gas which affects the melting of the ice burgs resulting in the rise of the sea levels mentioned the Minister. Nepal is one such country which is affected by the rise of sea level.

A bicycle race was organized concurrent with event yesterday organized by the Army, Police, Civil Defence Force, Postmen and veteran riders along the new lane.

Meanwhile two most famous cyclists of Nepal, Rajendra Sapkota and Rupak Khadka, participated in the eco-friendly cycle race which began form Battaramulla to Jaffna. The two are well known for their tour around the world by bicycle.

Courtesy: Lanka Puvath