CMC to take legal action against company for felling a tree?

By Yohan Perera   

Colombo Municipal Council ( CMC) is to take legal action against a company which had felled a tree along Galle Road, Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally 

Balthazaar said.   

“We recently received a complaint about a company that cut down a mature tree on Galle Road. A tree that had been growing for many years. They will be charged for destroying public property,” the Mayor said in her social media account   

“Two weeks ago, we received two calls. One from Fort Railway Station. The other from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Both had the same question. Development and renovation work was going to affect some of the trees on their premises, and they wanted to know how the CMC could help. Because the trees could still be moved, we were able to root ball them and give them new homes. One at Flower Road, and the others at Viharamahadevi Park. The CMC will always do its best to protect and care for the trees in our city, and we are grateful to the organizations and people who call us first and work with us to do the right thing,” she added.   

“On the other hand, this is also a good opportunity to ask the many businesses along our streets to please stop asking for trees to be cut down because they block your branding or signage. These trees are just as much a part of Colombo as businesses. 

So tell me, which trees do you like best in Colombo?   

Mine are the flamboyant and ehela trees,” she also said.   

Commenting on the matter opposition Member of CMC Tony Ramzi said felling of some trees such as Bo and coconut are prohibited by law. “Action can be taken against felling such trees,” he said.