President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that the government has not allowed anyone to cut down trees or destroy the environment. He said the Opposition is spreading false reports saying that a massive deforestation is taking place in the country. "I have instructed the District Secretaries to look into incidents of environmental destruction and to take immediate action," he said speaking at a meeting of representatives of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna affiliated organizations in Nugegoda last evening. President Rajapaksa said that the only solution to the problems faced by the people is formal development. He pointed out that the government has presented the necessary policy framework and a programme to achieve this development. President Rajapaksa said that he visits villages to identify the real issues of the people and solve them. “Those who do not have a policy and a plan are attacking this initiative today,” he said. The President emphasized that no matter what obstacles or criticisms come his way, the programme carried out on behalf of the people will not be halted and the people cannot be allowed to be deceived by false propaganda.