Felling rare Pandu Karanda tree ; Kataragama deity invoked to undo any sin

• Bandula Gunawardane took steps to plant 200 saplings of such trees along the road leading to Kataragama Kirivehera
• Pandu Karanda , scientifically called Crudia Zeylanica in Daraluwa, Veyangoda was felled discreetly recently to make way for the construction of the Meerigama - Kadawatha stretch of the central expressway

In what appeared to be an act of invocation of the Kataragama deity to undo any sin resulting from the felling of Pandu Karanda tree. Transport,Highways and Media Minister Bandula Gunawardane took steps to plant 200 saplings of such trees along the road leading to the Kataragama Kirivehera . 

Minister Gunawardane secured Cabinet approval for it and the tree was removed without much knowledge of anyone, a move to avoid another outcry from the groups of environmentalists. 

Pandu Karanda , scientifically called Crudia Zeylanica in Daraluwa, Veyangoda that was protected due to protests by environmentalists for a long time, but was felled discreetly recently to make way for the construction of the Meerigama - Kadawatha stretch of the central expressway .  

Minister Gunawardane secured Cabinet approval for it and the tree was removed without much knowledge of anyone, a move to avoid another outcry from the groups of environmentalists.  

The Minister told Daily Mirror that 15 such trees as old as 40 years are found in the vicinity. Earlier, he planted a similar tree in Kilinochchi.