3 October 2020 01:02 am
In the last few days, 27 large trees have been uprooted in Colombo owing to a number of reasons such as tree root decay, life expectancy, parasitism and increased weight caused by moss on trunks, a study has revealed.
The study was conducted by the Environmental Unit of the Presidential Secretariat recently, to identify the causes of trees falling in Colombo, especially during the rainy season, the President's Media Division said.
The study was conducted in areas such as Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Gregory's Road and Thunmulla where falling trees are quite common.
The programme was launched after the appointment of SSP Roshan Rajapaksa as the Director of Special Assignments and Environment at the Presidential Secretariat, the PMD said.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens Deputy Director Dr. Achala Attanayake, Officer in Charge of Parks Sunil Gamage, Assistant Officer in Charge of Colombo Parks Pasan Tharindu Wickramasinghe and Urban Beautification Deputy Director Tharanga Muniweera participated in the study survey.
They were assisted by the officials of the Special Assignments and Environmental Unit at the Presidential Secretariat.
The PMD said further action is being taken to protect the trees and to ensure the safety of the public and property in the process.
Trees and branches that fell at the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo were also removed safely in parallel with the study. (Lahiru Pothmulla)