Addressing the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris on Monday, President Maithripala Sirisena pushed for the reduction of greenhouse gases by developing countries, considering the historical responsibility.

Sirisena said that everyone needs to realize the common but different responsibilities in keeping the rise in world temperature below 2 degrees this century.

As an island state, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to global warming, he further said, adding that it had already started to play its part, introducing new 'Climate Smart' initiatives.

As a Buddhist, it was his belief that Gauthama Buddha was the greatest environmentalist born on earth, the President said. It was the Buddha who introduced sustainable development, he added.