Palmyra plant on middle of new road

6 July 2012 04:08 pm

Parliamentarians on both sides of the House were amused today when it was revealed that a Palmyra seedling had sprouted up in the middle of the newly carpeted road between Palakuda Junction of Puttalam and St. Annes Church at Talavila.

Local Government and Provincial Council Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake who responded to a question by United National Party (UNP) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, admitted that a Palmyra seed which might have been mixed up with raw material used in road construction, had germinated on the road.

The members were seen laughing heartily after this remark by the deputy minister. Mr. Jayasekara, asked how this could have happened after the road was carpeted with a thick layer of tar.

“Had road constructors maintained the required standards, this would not have happened. It was not a seedling but a grown up plant,” Mr. Jayasekera said.
 “This can happen. In other countries, there are instances where grass has grown on highways,” the deputy minister said. (Kelum Bandara)