Rathnapura – Rare Ratdotalu flowers in Moragahayata area . Two people who tried to sell ten have been arrested by the wildlife conservation department’s emergency raid unit. According to wildlife officials, these flowers are often used as offerings to Buddha.
The suspects who were arrested on November 4th for damaging Rath-Dothalu trees have been remanded until November 11th after being produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court. Ratnapura police are conducting further investigations.
Scientifically named as Loxococcus rupicola, Rath-Dothalu is a species of palm and is the only species of the genus Loxococcus. Endemic to Sri Lanka, it is protected under the Wildlife and Flora Protection Ordinance and faces threats due to habitat loss.