5G vs holy tree: fake news in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, people on social media feared losing the Sri Maha Bodhi tree. It's a holy tree for Buddhists in the country. Some people say that the tree's leaves are turning black because of 5G radiation. It might lose all its leaves and die.

Many people have shared this story on Facebook and WhatsApp. It's also been spoken about by a TV presenter on YouTube. The tree's next to a temple where the temple's head monk, Pallegama Hemarathana lives. He wrote to the country's president for assistance.

Pallegama Hemarathana: "I told the president that there is a problem like this. It would be prudent to get the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and botanists from the Peradeniya University to study this and inform the public because they are very concerned."

The president organised a team of experts to help with the situation. The team of telecommunications engineers and botanists did some research. They reported that the surrounding areas had no 5G transmitters. The news on social media was fake.

The experts advised that mobile phones be banned near the tree. This rule existed before, but most people broke it. The 2,300 year old tree, which is called 'Bo', already has strict security around it. The head monk promises to be strict with the rules, to protect the tree.

Pallegama Hemarathana: "We never take any decision that will cause harm to the Bodhi tree. Our duty is to protect it."

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