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JVP requests Govt. to protect Che’s tree
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The site of the historic Mahogany tree
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will request the Government to take steps to protect the historic Mahogany tree in Horana planted by Argentinean revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara, said Kalutara District Parliamentarian Dr Nalinda Herath.
The request comes in the wake of an incident where the tree was nearly felled this week.
Dr Herath said that, previously too, the Party had requested protection for the tree.
The timely intervention by Police saved the tree from being cut down by illicit timber fellers.
Police had acted on a tip-off and arrested three men in connection with the illicit felling of trees at the Yahala Kele rubber estate in Horana, where the Mahogany tree planted by Che on August 7, 1959, stands.
Kalutara Crime Unit OIC CI Suneth Shantha said the timber fellers had cut down several valuable trees on this private estate, and had brought a chainsaw to cut down the tree planted by Che. However, they had failed in their endeavour, as the tree is a massive one.
“We suspect they had help from some of those living on the estate,” said the OIC.
1959 August 7: The day the tree was planted