Letters to the Editor
View(s):Fate of a plant – Crudia zeylanica (‘Pandu-karanda’): From doom to salvation
Seedlings at the Garden’s nursery from seeds collected from Daraluwa tree
The uproar about the appearance and disappearance of this rare tree known as ‘Pandu-Karanda’ on the construction pathway of the Colombo- Kandy Expressway is considered a blessing for the survival of this leguminous tree species in Sri Lanka.
The serendipitous re-discovery of this ‘lost’ tree species by Himesh Jayasinghe, a researcher at the Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS), Kandy and an associate of the National Herbarium, Peradeniya, during an Environmental Impact Assessment conducted for the highway construction project, came to light in 2019.
Many sectors, i.e., government, conservation, academic, legal, religious, economic and the public etc began to turn their attention to it. Amidst protests, disputes and debates, many scientific disclosures came to light and actions, notably conservation efforts, were also initiated. This scenario is regarded as a healthy outcome of a serious environmental and economic issue in this country.
Natural distribution in Sri Lanka and elsewhere
The ‘Pandu-karanda’ species was first collected in 1861 and 1863 by Dr. George Kendrick Thwaites, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, in Galpatha (Kalutara District). The dried original specimens are well preserved at the National Herbarium and evidently a tree existed in the Peradeniya Gardens, apparently till about the 1980s, and now is reported as lost.
Up to recent times, Crudia zeylanica was considered as an endemic species in Sri Lanka (naturally found in no other country). However, its natural occurrence in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) has been reported in 2018. Therefore, the species is no more considered as an endemic, but as an indigenous or native species in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the genus Crudia consists of 37 accepted species, distributed on all continents of the world (tropical regions).
Along with the issue becoming hotter, the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens went into action by checking on possible other locations of this rare species, especially in the Gampaha District, and they were rewarded with locating several trees, particularly in the Attanagalu Oya basin. It is of interest that one of those trees was happily growing outside the fence of the Gampaha Botanic Garden, very obviously in view, but unable to attract the attention of at least one of many botanists managing the garden for over a century. Meanwhile, the original tree at Daraluwa was periodically investigated, flowering and fruiting were observed, and seeds were collected for germination and propagation and the saplings are currently available for planting.
As for the conservation status of Crudia zeylanica in Sri Lanka, the National Red List (2020) ranked it in the Critically Endangered category (facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild). Further, it was also considered as an endemic species in Sri Lanka (naturally found in no other country). According to the current information, its conservation status will possibly be ranked in the Endangered category (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild).
This is in the light of the survival potential of the new locations, recorded by the Botanic Gardens, almost all in the heavily populated Gampaha Distract in which the human impacts are high. As the Botanic Gardens alone cannot ensure tree protection in private lands, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is expected to undertake this responsibility within the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Amendment) No. 22 of Wild Flora, Endangered Species etc.
Thanks to those who discovered and rediscovered the plant and the Botanic Garden authorities for their efficient conservation efforts, there is light at the end of the tunnel for ‘Pandu-karanda’. As against proposed colossal expenditures such as highway route changes and translocation of the tree, a cost-effective, scientific programme of tree-planting and legal protection will be the best. The natural habitats of the species are the wet zone lowlands that are periodically flooded with a shallow water table and vicinities of slow-moving waterways and grounds above paddy fields provide such habitats. If an indicator will be helpful in this regard, habitats in which rattan (Heen-wewel) (Calamus rotang) grows naturally in the lowland wet zone will be the best, as this species was observed as a natural companion plant along with ‘Pandu-karanda’.
Furthermore, city gardens and parks, large home gardens capable of sparing at least 10 – 20 perches and appropriate school and religious places are suitable. Planting in the dry zone will necessitate costly care and thus is not recommended.
Magdon Jayasuriya
(Former Director, Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Gannoruwa)
Forty years on…. a plea
The year is nineteen eighty-three
When behold a daughter was born to me
With what joy the year began
And life ‘seemed’ good & yet not so
Come July ugliness unleashed
Man’s intolerance for his brother a higher degree reached!
May we never forget, as with other events in our history that darkened this beautiful isle, we call home.
Today the year is twenty-twenty-three
“Has much changed?” I ask of thee
Not at all really, I’d say, as I am aware
Of what’s on the surface and out there;
We see narrowly – and on the surface pretend
That all racial prejudice has come to an end.
Oh, the guns are silent that we all know
But peace is not the absence of conflict but much more
Not one, least the politician is really interested
Or cares less at the way some citizens are treated
As one from the majority – I oft feel distraught
By the indifference and apathy on others wrought.
I still recall hoping and praying for better days for our children. I remember my daughter when aged 8 writing on a school form that called for Race (for statistics I presume) half Sinhalese half Tamil. My father on the other hand wrote ‘Human race’ in a form he got! I am deeply grateful to my parents who taught us to love all races and to treat all people with respect. They had friends of all ethnicities and religions and we seven were the richer for it. I know others too who think likewise and know we must raise our voices.
I walked into a ‘Bimsaviya’ office one day last year
With a friend not conversant with my lingo so felt unsure
To my amazement everything was only in the Sinhala language
Nothing, no nothing, in Tamil the other national language
The only board in English read
“This counter close at 3 pm” and that certainly remains in my head!
The 3 people I spoke to knew only the Sinhala language
How come I thought that here in 2022 we are still in another age
The other recognized national language is not in use today
“When is anything implemented here?” a few carelessly say
’Tis easy when they’re not affected in any way
I was outraged and felt sooo angry yet what could I say?
A few weeks later or a month or more
The needed certificate was given & guess what?
The entire document yes, in Sinhala
“Karrta kiyannada?” is what we say
So you see how things really are?
Unless these are addressed NOTHING has changed!
My brothers and sisters who enrich the fabric of this nation
Whether Tamil, or Muslim or Malay or Burgher
Are equal citizens we all say, and yet we have still to witness that
So, I cry to you brethren of the majority race,
Be voices for those who don’t demand big things,
But the day-to-day stuff so they feel equal citizens.
My fellow Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher brothers and sisters simply ask that their day-to-day living be made easier. Name boards in Government buildings, the staff at Government institutions, every form they have to fill ….surely can be in three languages? People tell me don’t raise your voice it’s no point and yet as ones of the majority race if we do not raise our voices on behalf of the rest who will? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do this. What’s the use of ministries, commissions and groups and committees? Why, I ask is implementing anything in this nation so difficult?
Oh, the extremists I know cry out, their stance not easily vetoed
And those in high places play games to be voted.
There are those of all races who try to build bridges
Yet some who do not help by their remarks and phrases;
It’s time we saw each other as Sri Lankans dear citizens
And embrace the good of all the colours represented.
I thank God for organizations such as Sri Lanka Unites, other NGOs and I believe even individuals of all races working towards bringing youth from all 28 districts together to listen to each other and to forge friendships. Yes, it has to be the ordinary citizens who show the way. Please do not give up!
My mother oft quoted Martin Luther King Jnr who said: “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”
He also once said:”There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”
On this July of twenty twenty-three
I seek forgiveness from my fellows of other creeds and faiths
Let’s all who think alike, be voices for the voiceless
Whatever our ages let’s unite rather than stay noiseless
And cry for the common good of all our citizens in this nation
We must we must never give up hope – it’s time to hasten
I look at the skies in the beauty of its creation
And to my God who created all in His image
Under our skins we have the capacity to love
To bear with, be patient and lift the fallen up
May we see another not as different in our vision
But as a brother and sister who add colour to my nation.
Sarla Abayasekara Williams Via e mail
Excellent service at the Department for the Registration of Persons
It is with great respect and admiration that I write to express my gratitude to the relevant authorities of the Department for the Registration of Persons for the excellent service rendered to me on July 13.
I walked into this office to obtain a new National Identity Card and I was really surprised to see how meticulously they handled the matter. I was able to get the NIC within one hour’s time.
Security personnel who were there to assist were doing a great job to guide the people to different locations and very carefully looked into people’s needs.
Almost all the officers who were at the counters, were soft spoken, courteous and polite and also approachable to the people.
Once you entered the premises, you were well guided, and those coming in faced no inconvenience at all.
The most striking thing I observed was the notice stating not to pay anything to anyone, other than the 1 day service charge i.e. Rs. 2000 for which they issue a receipt.
All in all, I experienced, a very impressive atmosphere there, which I never expected from a Government organisation.
When the Government is trying to recover from the traumatic period the country is facing and most of the people are still struggling with day to day activities, maintaining this impressive level of administration in this Department is highly commendable. One hopes other Government organisations will also adapt to this level.
Mangalika Wijetunge Mattegoda
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