The Government took the initiative of providing a guaranteed price of 350 rupees for a kilogram of raw rubber to improve the rubber industry and upgrade the living standards of rubber industrialists. The allocation made by the Treasury in this respect is four Billion Rupees.
The Government paid a sum of over 897 million rupees during the past six months to over 60,000 engaged in the cultivation of rubber under the 350 rupee guaranteed price scheme. Sri Lanka is the only country that is granting such an incentive with the intention of safeguarding the local rubber producer even at a time when there was less demand for rubber in the world market.
R.S. Hapuwatte and K.H.L. Kodithuwakku of the Rubber Development Department have been appointed to look into problems that surface during the sale of latex. Problems in the purchase of rubber can be directed to these officials.