CMC clarifies reasons to cut down decades old tree on Kirimandala Mawatha

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has justified the approval granted to cut down a decades old tree on Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita.

The CMC, especially Mayoress Rosy Senanayake, faced sever backlash on social media over the decision to cut down the tree.

Speaking to NewsWire, Rosy Senanayake clarified that the tree was cut down as part of the megapolis development project carried out by the Urban Development Authority in Colombo.

The project is being implemented to widen the road up to Nawala Road consisting of 4-lanes at a cost of Rs. 300 million, with a view to ease congestion on Kirimandala Mawatha.

A decision was taken to approve the felling of the tree as it was in the middle of the road and did not comply with the street lining requirement to construct 04-lanes.

Senanayake said that the decision to grant approval as part of the Central Government’s project was inevitable.

“There are some instance in which the CMC has no choice but to grant approval to cut down trees as part of development projects. This is one such instance,” she said.

Reiterating that she was against the felling of trees, the CMC Mayoress said it was against her policy and she attempts to avoid taking such decisions as much as possible.

“I am against cutting down trees. I strongly believe in carbon trading, as well as planting 10 trees for every one tree that is cut down,” Rosy Senanayake added.

The CMC Mayoress stated that permission has been sought from the Department of Agriculture to plant 15 saplings in exchange for the tree that was cut down on Kirimandala Mawatha, adding that the planting will be undertaken by the CMC. (NewsWire)