State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has issued a directive to carry out an immediate study of large roadside trees at risk of falling due to the prevailing wet conditions and remove any which may pose a threat to the public.
Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Defence said that the State Minister has directed officials of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and National Building Research Organization (NBRO) to coordinate with the Environmental Authority, Road Development Authority (RDA) and local authority bodies in this regard.
The State Minister has further issued directions to relevant officials to take immediate preventive measures and remove potential roadside trees at risk of falling.
The directives have been issued following the tragic accident that was reported near the Liberty roundabout in Colpetty this morning, where a tree had fallen onto a bus killing five passengers and injuring at least 10 others. (NewsWire)