World's oldest tree survives cyclone

COLOMBO, DEC. 28. The oldest tree in the world, worshipped by Buddhists across the globe, survived a cyclone that killed eight people in Sri Lanka and left more than 5,00,000 homeless, monks said today.

Sri Maha Bodhi, a ficus religiosa or a banyan tree, has a recorded history of more than 23 centuries. It is worshipped by more than 2,000 people daily as it is said to be a sapling from the original tree that sheltered Buddha when he attained enlightenment in India over 2,500 years ago.

The cyclone packed winds of 150 to 180 km an hour when it hit northern and northcentral Sri Lanka, where the Sri Maha Bodhi is located. But the tree was unharmed, though branches of two similar trees were sheared off during in the cyclone on Tuesday, they said.

``Nothing has happened to the Bodhi,'' said a spokesman for the North Central Provincial Council.

- AFP

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Section  : International
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