News
Photo focus: From Osu Uyana to landfill
The now bulldozed the Osu Uyana once provided sustenance to the herds of deer which roam the area
A valuable Osu-Uyana (herbal garden) encompassing over 30 acres belonging to the Holy City Kataragama has allegedly been bulldozed and completely destroyed -allegedly on the directions of the Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya.
The Uyana situated near the Ruhunu Maha Devalaya and the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya dates back to the time of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa (1986-87).
A signboard situated where the Osu-Uyana once stood proclaims over 75,000 plants belonging to 27 medicinal species had been planted in this Osu-Uyana.
The land where the Osu Uyana once stood is now a barren wasteland. Trees have been completely cut down and burned. Mounds of ash bear witness to where trees once stood. Wild animals that lived on the land, including herds of deer, wild boar and monkeys have now been made homeless by the destruction. Waterholes that once served the needs of animals have been filled. The backhoe allegedly used by soldiers to destroy the land still idles at the location.
It is alleged that the site was cleared to make way for a hotel project.
D.P. Kumarage, Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, however claimed the land was earlier a garbage dumping site.
He stressed the land was cleared after notifying the President and Prime Minister and added Rs.5.5 million had already been allocated through the Ministry of Environment on the intervention of the PM to build a recycling plant at the site.
Mr. Kumarage stated he would immediately resign from his post if anyone could prove the site bulldozed was earlier an Osu-Uyana.
The sign-board bearing ample testimony to the fact the area was once a Osu Uyana not a garbage dump
Mounds of ash mark places where trees once stood
The backhoe used to clear the land now lies idle
This tank that provided water to the animals has now been destroyed and filled... the death of the animals in the future seems certain
Troops of monkeys huddle among the few trees left standing