The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir
M.A.M. Thahir supported the motion, arguing that tree-planting policies should prioritise species suited to Sri Lanka’s varied climate and local needs. He said fast-growing trees planted in school “green revolution” programmes in Ampara had become hazardous, damaging buildings, while principals lacked funds and authority to remove them and State Timber Corporation procedures were slow and costly. He proposed arrangements to remove dangerous trees and encouraged planting economically useful or native species, including along riverbanks, to support local production and national benefit.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 [4.28 p.m.]
¶ 02 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, I welcome this timely motion. Sri Lanka is an eight‑climate‑zones‑in‑a‑day destination; we must weed out species unsuited to our environment. In Ampara, fast‑growing “sown” trees planted under school “green revolution” programs grew huge within five years, damaging walls and nearby buildings. Principals lack authority and funds to remove dangerous trees; the State Timber Corporation process is slow and costly. We must arrange removals of such hazardous species.
¶ 04 Traveling the Southern Expressway through Kalutara, we see oil‑palm stands grown to meet edible oil needs. We should consider beneficial species that support local production and plant useful trees along riverbanks—teak, mahogany, or flowering natives—leveraging our resources for national benefit. Thank you.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Friday, 8 May 2026 ·No. 23554 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 8 May 2026. No. 23554. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/22796