World Ocean Day national event underway at Diyatha Uyana

The national programme to mark the International Ocean Day is scheduled to be held today at Diyatha Uyana in Battaramulla under the patronage of Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedige.

This year’s theme is 'Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.'

The idea of declaring an international day for the ocean was first discussed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in 1992.

As a result, June 8 was officially declared as World Oceans Day in 2008.