400-year-old worshipped tree falls on house, injures girl

By Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi   

A 400-year-old tree had fallen on a house, causing serious injuries to a 13-year-old girl and extensive damage to the house.   

The historic Riti tree at Hiruwala in Mirigama had been venerated and worshipped by people for several generations, who protected it and refrained from cutting a branch of it in fear of facing dire consequences.   

However, the huge tree, about 15ft in circumference and about 100ft tall, had been subject to decay recently. It had fallen down on Monday night (04) causing extensive damage to the nearby house and serious injuries to one of the occupants.   

The injured girl was admitted to Mirigama Divisional Hospital and transferred to Ragama Teaching Hospital.