STC chairman refutes media reports on Deduru Oya project

Disna MUDALIGE

The State Timber Corporation (STC) has acted in a legal and transparent manner on the felling of timber on land which goes under water under the Deduru Oya Project, State Timber Corporation (STC) chairman S Amerasinghe said. He stressed that the work has been carried out with the direct intervention of the STC with no involvement of any private party.

He made this statement refuting certain media reports over political influence and interference on timber felling under the Deduru Oya project.

He noted there are private and state lands in the total area which goes under water from the project.

The Deaduru Oya project is a major irrigation scheme launched by the government which will benefit about 25,000 families. It is to supply water to 35,000 acres of paddy fields, generate 3 MW of power and supply drinking water to 50,000 people in the area. The STC was assigned for timber felling in the state land which goes under water with the Cabinet approval.

The trees were marked by a team comprised of relevant state authorities and a total of 1,948 trees were marked including 1,188 Kumbuk trees to be felled in an area of 6,000 acres. By July end, the STC had felled 835 trees including 806 Kumbuk trees and earned an income of Rs 59 million.

The felled timber were sold at the maximum prices to both state and private parties under the laws and regulations of the Cooperation.

If the timber was not felled, it would have been a loss since the trees would be destroyed by the water, said the Chairman.

The Environment Ministry undertakes afforestation in selected places to account for the trees destroyed by various development project by the government.