More surviving ‘crudia zeylenica’ plant species exist, says CEA

It was revealed that a mature plant, endangered crudia zeylanica could also be found at the Henarathgoda botanical gardens and another small plant on the border of the 14th km point on the central expressway, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said today.

The CEA said it came to light during the field observation by the CEA, the National Botanic Gardens Department, the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Road Development Authority (RDA) in December 31, 2019.

it was initially recommended by the wildlife conservation department to uproot the endangered crudia zeylanica plant on the expressway construction site, and replant it at another suitable location.

The CEA said it had also been informed by the RDA that there are more places in the country where crudia zeylanica could be found. It was the RDA that has been vested with the responsibility of taking further action in the future pertaining to the rare plant species,” the CEA added.

The Sri Lanka legume (crudia zeylanica) was discovered and named a new species in 1868; in 1911 it was found in another locality. Since then, however, there was no trace of it even being seen, and it was eventually presumed to be extinct.

The only surviving tree of crudia zeylanica was re-discovered close to the Daraluwa Railway Station in Gampaha along the Kadawatha-Mirigaa stretch, where the central expressway is being constructed.

Environmentalists raise serious concerns over removing it and doubt whether Sri Lanka is equipped with such technology to relocate the plant. (Sheain Fernandopulle)