A Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) technical team is scheduled to travel to the UNESCO-designated World Heritage City of Anuradhapura today, February 26 to measure the horizontal distance between the telecom tower in Anuradhapura and the Mahamewna Gardens’ sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, sources at the TRC and the Anuradhapura District Secretariat told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
They said they are trying to figure out whether the telecommunications infrastructure in Anuradhapura meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
“We are investigating whether the radiation from the telecom tower harms the sacred tree’s ecology,” a TRC official said.
This is a sequel to President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a Commission last week to investigate claims that the telecom tower in Anuradhapura harms the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
He did this at the request of the Chief Incumbent of the Maha Vihara and the Atamasthanadhipathi, Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera. The President appointed two TRC members - Chairman Prof. Niranjan Gunawardena, and TRC Additional Director General R. G. H. K. Ranatunga, National Botanical Gardens Director General, Dr. Shelomi Arulchelvi Krishnaraja, and Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara to the Commission.
Dr. Krishnaraja and Jayasundara said the Commission would meet this week to discuss reports regarding the health of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree and speculation that radio frequency emissions from the telecom tower have negatively impacted it.
With regard to the allegations that some sections of society had made that the cell tower in Anuradhapura was harmful to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ranatunga said, “The claims that the Telecom tower in Anuradhapura causes harm to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree are unfounded.”
The tree is the world’s oldest planted tree, with a documented history of nearly 2,500 years.
In response to our question about the tree’s biological condition, National Botanical Gardens Director General Dr. Shelomi Arulchelvi Krishnaraja said the tree is growing well.
“As of last Wednesday, new shoots had emerged. Since I have been in close contact with those who look after the tree, including the Chief Incumbent of the temple, I can say there is no problem with the tree,” she said.
“How Sri Lanka Telecom infrastructure is affecting the tree is what we will discuss when the Commission meets for the first time during the week,” she said.
Botanist Bhathiya Sumithrarachchi who tends to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi also said that the cell tower has had no impact on the Bodhi.
Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka said moves are under way to protect and preserve the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
“We have taken action to gather vital information on the condition of the tree to take appropriate measures to protect and preserve its health, viability, and cultural significance as a World Heritage tree,” he said.
He said that his Ministry’s Secretary, Somaratna Vidanapathirana, had called for a report on the condition of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree from National Botanical Gardens Director General Mrs. Dr. S.A. Krishnaraja.
Minister Wickramanayaka said expert opinions and scientific data would be essential to take measures for the conservation of the sacred tree.