SC to hear Pannipitiya Bo -Tree FR case on May 24 | Page 2 | Daily News

SC to hear Pannipitiya Bo -Tree FR case on May 24

The Fundamental Rights petition filed seeking order preventing the Road Development Authority from cutting down or removing the Pannipitiya Bo-Tree was fixed for argument on May 24, by the Supreme Court yesterday.

The Supreme Court had issued an Interim Order suspending the Chairman of Road Development Authority (RDA) from cutting down or removing the Pannipitiya Bo-Tree until final determination of this petition.

The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by four petitioners including Ven.Weraduwe Sirijothi Thera of Sri Punnyabhiwardanaramaya in Kottawa.

The petitioners had cited the Higher Education and Highways Minister, Maharagama Divisional Secretary, RDA Chairman, the Attorney General and several others as respondents.

The petitioners had informed Court that the history of the Pannipitiya Bo-Tree runs back to about 400 years and the story of its origin had been passed by word through generations of people in Pannipitiya.

The petitioners stated that in 2015, the RDA tried to cut down the Bo-Tree to widen the High Level Road and was defeated due to strong public protest.The petitioners further stated Bo-Tree has its own history and has become part of the traditions and culture of Buddhists and practices relating to Buddhism.The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petition and fixed the matter for argument on May 24, 2019.Senior Counsel Kanishka Vitharana with Counsel M. Thilakaratne appeared for the petitioners.

Senior State Counsel Awanthi Perera appeared for the Attorney General.


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