Gale and heavy rains take toll

A 200 year old Nuga Tree which was a landmark near the Dickwella police station uprooted and fell on the Matara-Kataragama main road in a gale which accompanied heavy rains in Dickwella on November 31.

The fallen tree damaged the police station wall and blocked its entrance too. Vehicles along the Matara-Kataragama, Tangalle and Walasmulla roads were obstructed and all vehicles were diverted through Beliatte.

A three wheeler parked in the wayside was crushed by the tree which also damaged the electricity and telephone lines. Dickwella police deployed a backhoe and a labour gang to remove the tree and clear the road.