Destruction of Walla Patta trees continue

Residents of the area expressed concern about the on going destruction by racketeers. They said several foreigners and local businessman were involved in the racket and some of them were from Colombo.

They pointed out that the racket was going on unchecked in Udkiruwa, Pallekiruwa, Peesa, Maduwatta, Suriyagoda and Dorapoda forest reserves and the racketeers were causing extensive environment damage to the forests.

Environmentalists said the authorities had failed to arrest the racketeers despite repeated representations. They said the racketeers paid about Rs.20,000 per kilo for Walla-Patta and sold them to foreigners for Rs.5 million a kilo.

They requested the police and the Forest Conservation Officials to hold a formal inquiry into the racket and arrest the individuals responsible.

Environmentalists said the authorities had failed to arrest the racketeers despite repeated representations. They said the racketeers paid about Rs.20,000 per kilo for Walla-Patta and sold them to foreigners for Rs.5 million a kilo