More than 550 million rupees have been paid to the growers for removed trees as an incentive payment.
Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease was first identified in the latter part of 2006 in the Southern province. The number of affected trees identified in the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota is 15% of the total geographical area covering the Southern Province i.e. 22,935 hectares. The highest number of trees affected has been reported from the Matara District.
This disease is caused by a phytoplasma which is characterized by the debilitating nature of palms. The palms show symptoms of leaf flaccidity, yellowing and finally succumb due to the infection with other fungal diseases such as leaf rot. The disease is transmitted by insect vectors which are multi host species.
The strategies adopted for disease management are; Firstly, a 88 km long and 3 km wide barrier has been established around boundaries of the three districts to prevent the spread of the disease to the other major coconut growing areas of the country. This barrier is maintained by the Coconut Research Institute. Secondly, the diseased palms were detected using molecular diagnostic techniques which have been perfected by the Coconut Research Institute. The diseased palms are marked and the trees which are severely diseased are recommended for felling. These palms are removed to reduce the density of the pathogen. This in return will reduce the rate of spread.
Accordingly, under several stages Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease detection and felling of diseased trees were carried out and the third phase has now come to an end. Under the fourth phase, 1,200 affected coconut trees in 75 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Matara District have been identified and marked for felling.
The Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease has spread over 12 out of 16 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Matara district.
Having understood the incurable nature of the disease, the Coconut Research Institute has commenced a comprehensive programme to control the wilt disease by felling the affected trees.
The government through a gazette notification has prohibited the transport of un-husked coconut, raw coconut husk, raw coconut leaves, areca nut, any palm species or their live products from infected areas to other parts of the country with the objective of controlling occurrences of damages by the wilt disease.
Regional Manager of the Matara District's Coconut Cultivation Board, A. K. Jayasekara said that all possible measures will be taken to cut and remove affected coconut trees until such time the wilt disease disappears.
