Bomb shell : ban lifted in cutting jak trees!

Lakmawage Diyaniyo on war path against govt. decision

Lakmawage Diyaniyo (Daughters of Mother Lanka) has requested the government not to lift the regulations applicable to the protection of jak trees. National organiser of the Lakmawage Diyaniyo and member of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Priyanga Kotalawala said that after a recent regulation permits are required only for felling and transport of ebony, kalumediriya, nedun, teak and white sandalwood that have only timber value. She pointed out that the jak tree which provided both food and timber had been exempted from the permit system. She expressed concern about the shortsightedness of the govt. decision that would result in the felling of tens of thousands of jak trees catering to timber racketeers.

“We request the Minister of Environment not to relax the laws applicable to the felling of jak trees as its fruit has provided nutritious food for many generations. We did not depend on other countries for food or consume flour products that cause many ailments among the Sri Lankan people today. If the laws to protect jak trees were relaxed, rapacious timber racketeers will not spare a single jak tree in the country. Our organisation has launched a campaign to popularize local food at our “Local Food Centre”. We are planning to hold an exhibition where we will introduce 100 kinds of food prepared with jak fruit. However, we are concerned that the decision of the Min-

We request the Minister of Environment not to relax the laws applicable to the felling of jak trees as its fruit has provided nutritious food for many generations

ister of Environment and request all patriots and environmental organizations to launch a campaign to protect jak trees.”

A member of the operations committee of the organisation Hashini de Silva also expressed her views.