Now, Sirisena comes forward to protect endangered tree

By Ifham Nizam

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has requested senior government authorities not to harm or dislocate a critically endangered tree, Sri Lankan Legume or Crudia zeylanica, in Gampaha.

Sirisena, who held the Environment portfolio in the yahapalana regime, on Sunday, met residents in Gampaha and had lengthy discussions on saving the endemic tree situated in the path of the new expressway.

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Movement representatives and villagers briefed the former president on the matter and invited him to have hoppers.

Sirisena assured that he would do his utmost to protect the tree and especially to ensure it remained where it stood.

“I believe that the government has responded positively as regards this matter and that a plan will be formulated to protect this species of flora,” the former president stressed

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry yesterday requested the Highways Ministry to proceed with the construction of the Central Expressway, without disturbing the endangered tree.

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry, Secretary, Bandula Harischandra yesterday submitted a request in writing to the Minister himself, to that effect.

The Highways Ministry is continuing to have further discussions with a team of experts. However, Highways Ministry Secretary, R. Premasiri told The Island that he was not in a position to comment until he read the content of the letter.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said although it had been revealed that the Crudia zeylania or Pandu Karanda plant in front of the Daraluwa Railway Station in Gampaha was a rare plant, officials should have paid more attention during the planning of the construction of the expressway.

Either the Central expressway path should be changed while the plant remained in place or the plant should be removed without any damage and replanted in a suitable ecosystem nearby, he said.

The Environment Minister said that engineers who were constructing the expressway had pointed out that if the design of the road was changed, it would cost a huge sum of additional money and that amount had not been assessed yet.