Letter from Sri Lanka - Hambantota

As concerend citizens of Sri Lanka, we are sending you the attached Petition regarding Hambantota 2018 commonwealth games bid, in a last desperate attempt to save endangered Sri Lankan wildlife and forests in the proposed area. We beg you to please do not ignore this email, but go through the attached petition signed by more than 1500 people all over the world, including many Sri Lankan citizens. We urge you to please read Page 22 through 66 (signature 583 onwards) of Sri Lankans who have left many important comments.

We are deeply concerned about the massive destruction to the environment and wildlife that is starting to get unleashed on our country due to the Hambantota 2018 commonwealth games bid. We are not against holding commonwealth games, but destroying important wildlife habitat to host commonwealth games in an area picked by the President because it is his home town with total desregard to mother nature is a terrible mistake. The area proposed by the authorities is one of the last remaining strong holds for the endangered Leopard, Sloth Bear and the Asian Elephant, as well as countless not so popular wildlife that plays a cruicial role in Sri Lanka's rich but declining bio-diversity. Over the last few years, the once lush green Island we grew up has gradually started to become a concrete jungle thanks to politicians who propose development at all costs without understanding the delicate balance of our eco-system.

As a commonwealth games member casting your vote soon, we sincerely urge you to listen to the people's voices and save our endangered wildlife. It is in the commonwealth manual that hosting cities should not destroy the environment. We hope you make the right choice.

 
Thank you
Sri Lankans United to Protect our Natural Heritage