World Environment Day 2001
Message on Environment Conservation which dates back to 246 BC

World Environment Day 2001 falls on an important day for Sri Lankan Buddhists. June 5th, 2001 is the Poson Full Moon Poya day. Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka on this day by Arhat Mahinda Thero, special envoy of King of India. One of the earliest messages on the rights of nature including Environment Conservation and Human rights was delivered by Arhat Mahinda to Sri Lankan King Devanampiyathissa. Protection of nature became a tradition after this incident in Sri Lanka.

The Environment message delivered by Arhat Mahinda to King Devanampiyathissa is as follows:

"O' great King! the birds of the air and the beasts on the earth have an equal right to live and move about in any part of this land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it."

As this occurred in third century BC this could be one of the oldest recorded messages on nature conservation. Prior to this day, it is likely that hunting was enjoyed by at least the elite of society, but this practice changed under the Buddhist philosophy of reverence for all forms of life - killing was forbidden. After this incident King Devanampiyathissa declared world's first wild life sanctuary, Mihintale Sanctuary. It is still a wild life sanctuary managed by Department of Wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka.

Department of Forestry and Environment Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura has organized events to launch environmental banners to display this environmental message on 5th June 2001 (on the World Environment Day) to reintroduce this message and to promote environmental awareness and nature protection. Environment Flag with the message will be launched in front of Kalutara Bodi and also in Minintale.

It should also be noted here that Lord Buddha, whose perching have influenced the culture and civilization of Sri Lanka, has also delivered several messages on trees, forests, animals and natural environment 25 centuries ago. One of the common messages of the Lord Budda says,

"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demand for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity: it affords protection of all beings, offering shade even to the axe man who destroys it."

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