The Kandy Municipal Council has embarked on a significant initiative to remove hazardous trees and decayed branches within the city, including the iconic Kandy Lake Circle. This operation comes in response to a notice issued by Central Province Governor, Mr. Lalith U. Gamage, to the Kandy District Coordination Committee. The directive emphasized the urgent need to eliminate dangerous trees from various areas in the Kandy city as well as local government jurisdictions in the district.
Prompted by the prevalence of perilous trees and decaying branches in Kandy city, the governor’s directive galvanized swift action. Local Government Commissioner, Mrs. Chamila Athapattu, confirmed that the removal of unsafe trees belonging to other local government bodies will commence within a month, following appropriate notifications to the concerned agencies.
Member of Parliament and Co-Chairman of the Kandy District Coordinating Committee, Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent incidents like obstructed walkways caused by fallen trees. He emphasized the need for organizations to work together efficiently and suggested that coordination committees offer support where necessary.
District Secretary, Mr. Chandana Thennakoon, recommended seeking assistance from the National Botanic Gardens Department to assess the condition of existing trees in Kandy city. He advised the preparation of a comprehensive data report encompassing all trees, with the department’s support. Such a report, he suggested, could facilitate continuous monitoring of branches over several years.
The District Secretary also highlighted the submission of a detailed report to the State Timber Corporation, outlining the removal of 1969 trees across the 20 Kandy Divisional Secretariat Divisions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring both human safety and the preservation of trees during the removal process. The initiative underscores the commitment of Kandy’s municipal authorities to safeguarding lives and enhancing the city’s environment.