A group of people had used backhoes to remove an ancient tree called ‘Sri Lanka Laguma’ tree, which was protected amid protests of environmentalists when it was planned to be cut down during the construction of the Colombo - Kandy Expressway.

Informed sources said that according to the area residents the Sri Lanka Laguma tree in the Daralwa area of Veyangoda is over 100 years old.

Earlier, the tree was also planned to be removed from the site and re-planted elsewhere.

However, a group of people came in a lorry loaded with two backhoes and removed the tree in a very short period of time.

Accordingly, a group of Chinese and Sinhalese nationals had come to remove the tree.