News

CMC to call in arborists to advice on pruning roadside trees

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2023

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Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Commissioner Badhrani Jayawardena said a special discussion, comprising of experts on trees in order to take expedited action regarding dangerous trees which are older than 30 to 35 years, in the Colombo city.

President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake has instructed her on this. Accordingly, a special discussion will be held on Monday October 9 and the Municipal Commissioner said a committee comprising of experts from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the Forest Conservator General as well as specialists on types of trees will join.

With the unfortunate accident that took place yesterday (6) on the Duplication Road close to the Liberty Roundabout in Kollupitiya, killing five persons, the Municipal Commissioner said that

attention has been focused on removing such dangerous trees from the Colombo city and that this discussion is one step towards that purpose. She also said that attention is being focused on getting assistant from the Air Force to cut and remove such trees. She further said that, yesterday (6) she held a discussion with the secretary to the ministry of Wildlife, Forest Resources Conservation and that she requested that a report be submitted regarding trees that are in danger of collapsing.

An accident took place yesterday (6) with an ancient banyan (nuga) tree on the Duplication Road, near the Liberty Roundabout, Kollupitiya falling on to a bus belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the impact of the tree had made the bus split in two.

Five persons from different areas of country who were in the bus, died on the spot. The Municipal Commissioner who said that two months ago, branches of this particular tree had been cut and removed and removing such dangerous trees and controlling them is carried out by the Colombo Municipality, also mentioned that a unit which works 24 hours of the day has been set up.

“When such dangerous trees are being removed, we get together with the fire brigade and do it. Even yesterday, after the accident all teams got together and worked as one. We cut branches of these trees which are on the road reserve and ‘balance’ them. If an accident happens while removing unprotected trees, we take immediate measures. When a tree nearly fell on to the road on Kannangara Mawatha, near the Vihara Maha Devi Park at about 4 pm day on Thursday(5) we cut down that tree and prevented an accident. We will take steps to inspect trees on Monday,” Jayawardena said.

(dailynews.lk)

News

President attends progress review meeting of Energy Ministry

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2024

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Energy this morning (Oct. 15).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that, similar to other countries where the energy sector holds a prominent position, Sri Lanka too has given the energy sector a leading role, and he also mentioned that the Ministry of Energy is one that generates revenue, and with higher earnings, there are societal discussions about possible irregularities.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that during this Presidential election, the people had voted with expectations, and he is committed to fulfilling that mandate.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted that the public has placed their trust in a new political tradition due to dissatisfaction with the old political culture, the economic problems they face, and their dissatisfaction with the performance of the public service.

The President mentioned that the public believes corruption, fraud, and mismanagement are behind the country’s economic collapse, and that the people have given this mandate to prevent these issues. He further stated that he would protect the trust placed in him by the people to stop corruption and fraud across the public sector, and urged public servants to fulfill their responsibilities properly.

The President further stated that public wealth must be protected like religious property, and no one has a legitimate right to subject that wealth to fraud or corruption.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the commitment of the current public servants is essential to create an efficient and effective public service that satisfies the citizens, and he is ready to take every step necessary to achieve this.

The President emphasized that public servants must act with responsibility and accountability to fulfill the structure, goals, and expectations of this mandate, and stated that his political leadership team is prepared to provide the necessary leadership for this.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further noted that he stands by every public action taken in the public’s interest within the boundaries of official duty and will not hesitate to take necessary action if improper acts are committed.

A detailed and extensive review was conducted regarding the current projects in the energy sector and those scheduled for implementation over the coming years.

Further discussions were held on how to achieve the goals of the energy sector over the next three years, as well as the short-term and long-term relief that could be provided to the public.

Professor Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy; Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board; Engineer K.G.R.F. Comester, General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board; and Janaka Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, along with several officials from the Ministry of Energy, participated in this event.

(President’s Media Division)