Banned palm- tree cultivation continues unchecked

PS members draw attention

Several members of the Bope-poddala Pradeshiya Sabha made representations during the monthly council meeting that palm trees for the purpose of extracting cooking oil were being planted in an estate in Poddala despite the ban.

JVP Member of the Pradeshiya Sabha Upul Indika Wijewickrema said that the oil palm cultivation was going on unchecked in an estate in Poddala area and that the residents of the area had made a complained about it.

The PS member pointed out that palm- tree cultivation in the Galle District had been banned by the District Coordinating Committee and the Plantation Ministry as well.

“The people are protesting against palm-oil tree cultivation that ruined the fertility of the soil and resulted in a series of environmental hazards. It destroys the natural water resources in the surroundings and affects other crops as well.the Minister of Plantation Industries representing the district should have paid attention on the issue.

He must intervene and take immediate decision ” he said. SLPP Member O.K. Janaka Chamal said that he had received several complaints that Palmoil tree seedlings were being planted and that he visited the estate with the police and carried out an inspection. He said management of the estate had obtained a Court order allowing to plant palm-oil trees.

The member pointed out that regulations had not yet been passed to ban the cultivation. PS Chairman Dilruk Abeykoon said he would refer the matter to the Minister of Plantation Industries and the District Coordinating Committee.