Prof. Munasinghe feted

Beverley Jansz

The Royal Commonwealth Society of Sri Lanka (RSC) jointly with the Central Environmental Authority felicitated Co-winner of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, at the BMICH.

Leading environmental enthusiasts were present. Prof. Munasinghe was awarded this prestigious Nobel Prize for his work on global warming.

Prof. Munasinghe had the distinction of receiving the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shared 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice-President Al Gore, this being the first Sri Lankan to receive this prestigious award.

He shares the Nobel Peace Prize of 2007 with IPCC colleagues and Al Gore, for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about Climate Change and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.

He is also Visiting Professor of the United Nations University in Tokyo.

He is the Vice Chairman of the United Nation's Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change in Geneva. He helped to establish the Computer Science and Engineering Faculty of the Moratuwa University.

Environment and National Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka paid the highest tribute to Prof. Munasinghe for bringing fame to Sri Lanka. "I'm proud that my Motherland has produced such brilliant personalities like Prof. Munasinghe.

"You are an asset to Sri Lanka and the whole world at a time when Environmental Pollution is the 'Talk of the Day' and plays a vital role in global issues, the Minister said.

The RCS of Sri Lanka founded in 1948, rendering invaluable service in the promotion of cultural, social, historical, friendship, and other awareness programs among all communities and countries, General Secretary, S. Yogendranathan said.

CEA Chairman Udaya Gammanpila RSC Sri Lanka President, Fred Mendis, CEA Director-General, Pasan Gunasena, Ministry of Environment Secretary M.R.N. Jayatilleke and Vice-President, General Tilak Paranagama were present.