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Fallen guardians

As heavy rains and gale force winds lashed many parts of Sri Lanka last week, several of Colombo's large trees could not withstand nature's force. The number of trees and branches that came crashing down, on public roads and private properties as a result appalled residents in Colombo.

Over the past few days, within the Colombo city alone, over 100 complaints of fallen trees and branches were reported to the CMC, said Superintendent Engineer, Colombo North, M.A.C.L. Fazal. The Colombo Fire Brigade and Ports Authority were called in on many occasions to help clear the debris, chop up tree trunks and remove broken branches.

A proposal on 'Tree Maintenance' is pending discussion by the Central Environmental Authority, Department of Forestry and CMC, said Mr. Fazal. But a lot of funds and support are needed if this plan, to safeguard the trees lining the city's main roads, is to be put into action, he said.

Trees are one of our most precious resources and safeguarding these beautiful old giants is important. However, ensuring public safety has to be of paramount importance. This is where environmental experts should join forces with the relevant government authorities to seek a solution to this growing concern.

Meanwhile, in another tree-protection effort, Ruk Rakaganno, the Tree Protection Society of Sri Lanka, has appealed to the public to contact them if they know of any tree that needs to be preserved. The society is keen to build a database of valuable trees around the country that are worthy of protection and lobby the authorities to protect trees from vandalism, thinly disguised as development.

"This is a very real threat as has been amply demonstrated by the sorry fate of the 300-year-old Mara tree in the Matara Fort. This tree was on public land and therefore belonged collectively to the public. Any actions relating to the tree should have received the approval of public authorities. A decision cannot or rather should not be based on one person's opinion, however powerful that person may be," a press release from the organization said.

This stately old Mara tree was chopped down last month allegedly on the orders of Minister Mahinda Wijesekera.

"In most cases it is the Government Agent (GA) and the Municipal Council that have authority over trees on public lands and their permission must be obtained before any tree is cut down. However where a tree is within a designated archaeological site, such as the Matara Fort, then permission must be obtained from the Archaeological Department under the Antiquities Ordinance as amended by No. 24 of 1998, Sec. 43A. In such a situation the GA and the Municipal Council have no power to authorize the cutting down of the tree if the Archaeological Department has denied permission. Concurrent approval from all three authorities is necessary if the tree is to be cut down.

"Trees can also be protected through designation under Sec. 43a of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance where they are deemed to have environmental, cultural, historical or aesthetic value. While there's little that can be done to bring back the Mara tree, we can and must use this as a learning experience so that we can stop more trees from suffering the same fate in the future," the release stated.

Ruk Rakaganno can be contacted at:

291/16, Edward Avenue, Havelock Road,

Colombo 6
Tel: 554438
Email: rukraks@sltnet.lk

Sparring for animal rights

By Hiranthi Fernando
Animal rights and law enforcement was the theme of a seminar held by the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights (SPAR) attended by animal lovers, veterinarians, members of the media, lawyers and senior police officers.

SPAR, a non-profit animal rights organization was founded last year on May 1. "This is the first organization of its kind in that we are addressing animal rights as distinct from animal welfare," said Ms. Penny Jayewardene, President of SPAR. "Animal rights activists believe that animals have certain moral and legal rights including the right to life and the right not to be harmed. They also believe that humans have an obligation to honour the rights of animals and protect them and that animals are worthy of our support, friendship, compassion and respect."

In Sri Lanka today there are 15 laws that have a bearing on the rights and welfare of animals. However, as Senior DIGs Sirisena Herath and J. Thangavelu, acknowledged, most police personnel are unaware of these laws and it is necessary to educate new recruits on their enforcement. DIG (Legal), J. Thangavelu undertook to educate other officers on the legal procedures available. The Police also see a need to create awareness among children and youth on the issue of cruelty to animals.

SPAR seeks to liberate animals by educating the public. The society also hopes to campaign and assist in the enactment of laws protecting animal rights, promote the reverence for life in the community, prevent cruelty to animals, to preserve and foster the historic animal friendly cultural heritage of Sri Lanka and to raise community awareness on animal rights. The guiding principle will be non-violence. Membership of SPAR is open to all.

Ms. Jayewardene referred to Arahat Mahinda’s words to King Devanampiyatissa, over 2000 years ago. "Oh Great King, the birds and the beasts all have an equal right to live and move about in any part of this island as thou. The land belongs to the people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it.”

"These words are more relevant today than ever before," Ms. Jayewardene said. "We are calling on our leaders, decision makers, law enforcement authorities and all the people of this country to embrace the ethics of this request by Arahat Mahinda and give animals and birds the freedom to move in their own environment and live in freedom that we humans so dearly cherish."

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