The last tree that the iconic former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam planted is in Colombo, The New Indian Express observed in a report yesterday.

 

At the request of Patali Champika Ranwaka, the Sri Lankan Minister of Power and Energy, Kalam planted a sapling of Red Sandalwood in the compound of Ranawaka’s official residence on June 27, exactly a month before he died.

 

Kalam came to the Lankan capital to be the chief guest at an international seminar on clean energies organized by Minister Ranawaka. The sapling was provided by Sunimal Fernando, a staunch Lankan admirer of Kalam.

 

An engineer and nationalist like Kalam, Champika Ranwaka wants Lanka to adopt Kalam’s development models which are homegrown, inclusive and non-polluting, and yet modern.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)