A former Central Provincial Council (CPC) Member, who was caught by villagers while cutting a Kumbuk tree in the Kotaganga Reserve in Narampanawa in the Mahaweli Reservoir, has been released on Police bail by the Theldeniya Police.
A person who is said to be a Grama Niladhari has also been caught by the villagers with the former PC member, but Police have not taken any legal action against him. Local residents said that the former PC Member is a businessman and a group of people who claimed to be from the Forest Conservation Department were also with him in a vehicle.
When the villagers reached the place on information that the Kumbuk tree was being cut, the group claiming to be the officials from the Forest Conservation Department got into the vehicle and fled. Villagers said that the concerned persons had cut a branch of the Kumbuk tree using an electric saw and the suspects were handed over to the Police.
The arrested suspect had told Police that he had obtained permission from the relevant authorities for the construction of a tree art museum and had come to cut the Kumbuk tree. However, it was revealed that he had not obtained such permission, Police said.
Theldeniya SSP M.D.Palihawadana said that there was not enough evidence against the Grama Niladhari. Theldeniya Police is conducting further investigations.
The post Former CPC Member caught in tree cutting drama appeared first on DailyNews.