Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation C.B. Ratnayake today likened some Government officers to people suffering from mental illness.
Commenting on the destruction of a rare tree found in Gampaha, which is reportedly on the brink of extinction, Minister Ratnayake told parliament that ‘some officers act to promote themselves like mentally ill people’.
His statement was directed at Gampaha District Forest Officer Devani Jayathileke, who recently highlighted the destruction of the rare tree, for the construction of the Kadawatha- Meerigama highway.
Earlier, Jayathileke had pointed out that an agreement was reached to mark a boundary from the tree and to refrain from clearing that area.
She said however, authorities have violated the agreement and have commenced clearing the area close to the tree.
Devani Jayathileke further questioned as to if Sri Lanka possessed the technology to relocate and maintain the tree, adding that relocation could result in either the tree growing or dying. (NewsWire)