Tree uprooting racket in Sigiriya Forest Reserve busted

10 February 2024 06:05 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

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By Kanchana Kumara

Sigiriya, Feb 10 (Daily Mirror) - A large-scale racket of uprooting trees in Sigiriya forest reserve and selling them to a hotel project was foiled by the wildlife conservators yesterday.

During the raid, they arrested two suspects and seized a large stock of Bolpana trees, a plant species endemic to the area and endangered with extinction, transported to Gedigaswalana area to be planted in the hotel ground.

Officials said the suspects had dug up the earth around the tree and uprooted it without causing damage to the root system, and transported them for replanting.

Under interrogation, the suspects revealed that they received Rs.1,500 per tree from the owners of the hotel which was being built on a private land in Gedigaswalana area off Sigiriya.

The suspects were to be produced before Dambulla Magistrate.

A team of wildlife conservators including Range Wildlife Conservators S.S.Malinda, D.M.Nilantha and A.D.B.Dhanushka had carried out the raid.

Comments - 11

Rajitha Saturday, 10 February 2024 06:29 AM

Have the owners of the hotel been arrested. Is the hotel property going to be confiscated?

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WhoWasIt Saturday, 10 February 2024 11:08 AM

Anyone know the name of the hotel and its owners?

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What about buyers of illegal products? Saturday, 10 February 2024 07:41 AM

Wildlife conservatives charged the plant Horu because they are caught with the plants; But, what about the hotel owners who gave them money to commit this act of grand robbery? Can they go scot free? If these to go, they will hire four more next time! They too should learn a lesson!

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Including Canning as a Deterrent Saturday, 10 February 2024 08:13 AM

Impose higher fines, longer jail terms

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Onlooker Saturday, 10 February 2024 08:34 AM

So what about the Hotel Owner who bought Govt property illegally knowingly. VIP so no action.

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Mahila Saturday, 10 February 2024 08:41 AM

“Plant species ENDEMIC to the area and ENDANGERED WITH EXTINCTION, transported to Gedigaswalana area to be planted in the hotel ground.” 1. ENDEMIC 2. ENDANGERED WITH EXTINCTION ENDEMIC, but are ENDANGERED with EXTINCTION!!!??? How could this possibly Happen??? If endemic, how could the Plant go extinct!!?? Do we understand what we are saying, communicating??? Contrary statements!!?? Probably, the Hotel wants to use them in the Garden, because it is ENDEMIC, if so what’s Wrong??? Instead of haphazard growth, the plant would beautify the Hotel Grounds, well-manicured along with the other trees and Lawn!!??? Less erudite has misinterpreted the Law and perhaps looking for “Lunch in the Bush Plants”!!?? What a dastardly country and accomplices!!!???

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navratne willamune Saturday, 10 February 2024 08:44 AM

some of the well known recent past crickters are in this business,doing projects near historical sight .shame on them

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Gobaya Saturday, 10 February 2024 08:47 AM

Not a harm

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DOT Saturday, 10 February 2024 09:43 AM

HATS OFF TO SIIGIYA FOREST OFFICIALS, THIS TREE UPROOTING IS HAPPENING I EVERY FORESTS!

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Mohamed Adham Saturday, 10 February 2024 01:24 PM

Again, catching the small fry. Arrest the Hotel owners who are buying these trees, Name and Shame them.

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Audi 2000 Saturday, 10 February 2024 03:55 PM

Arrest the hotel owner as he would have given this to them as a contract knowing very well it is illegal.

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