Srilanka, May 29 -- The government has decided to designate five forest areas in Sri Lanka as protected reserves for this year's World Environment Day, Environment Minister Dr.Dhammika Patabandi. Addressing a media briefing at the Department of Government Information yesterday (28), the Minister announced that forests located in the Galle, Kegalle and Moneragala districts would be officially declared as reserves through a gazette notification.

The forests are Kottawa in Galle, Uduliyadda and Thulhiriya Werahankanda in Kegalle and Nilgala in Moneragala.

The official declarations are set to be made on June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day celebrations. Minister Patabandi stated that this year's national event will be held in Kega...