Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana says that necessary steps will be taken for this purpose this year. Currently, the Act mandates permission to the fell of jack, breadfruit, and palm trees.
The Minister stated this at the Local Production Industry Development Committee in the Gampaha District. The committee meeting was held under the patronage of Minister Ramesh Pathirana and Minister Prasanna Ranatunga at the Jayasinghe function hall in Naiwala last Monday (15).
Minister Ramesh Pathirana further stated that the existing rules regarding the sale of coconut lands are being amended, thus the approval should be gained from the Coconut Development Board for plotting more than 10 acres of coconut land.
The Minister also pinpointed that the approval of the Coconut Development Board is expected to be made mandatory for the allotment of more than 2 acres of land.
State Minister Arundika Fernando asserted that the government intends to keep the price of coconut stable and that necessary steps are already being taken for this.
Annual coconut production in the country is 2.8 billion. So, the government has given special attention to promoting coconut cultivation. The Government has decided to re-elevate the Kapruka societies which were inactivated for a certain period of time. A season loan scheme for coconut cultivation will also be introduced. Accordingly, it is expected to provide loans for coconut cultivation up to Rs.3 million at 3.5% interest.
In addition, the promotion of coconut oil and coconut-related products is strengthened. The State Minister further asserted that a sum of Rs. 40,000 per acre will be provided to obtain water facilities for coconut cultivation.
A special focus was given to the problems faced by cashew growers and producers in the country during the discussion. Chairman of the Minuwangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, Kumara Arangalla stated that cashew growers are facing difficulties due to the felling of cashew trees. State Minister Chanaka Wakkumbura said the government has paid attention to this matter.
The annual requirement of cashew nuts in the country is 25,000 metric tons, however, only 12,500 metric tons are being produced. Arrangements have been made to cultivate 6,500 acres of cashew nuts. Minister Pathirana started a program to provide subsidies to cashew growers is also in progress and that the concessions will be provided to cashew producers for this purpose.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga instructed to take immediate steps to replace the factories that have been closed down in the industrial estates in the Gampaha District with new factories. A total number of 05 Investment Promotion Zones are available in Gampaha District. In addition to the Single Industrial Estates in the Gampaha District, the establishment of a new Industrial Estate was discussed.
Minister Ranatunga pointed out that different problems have been generated due to the non-involvement of the various Ministries in the implementation of government development projects with the people's representatives in the relevant areas.
He instructed to get relevant proposals through the Divisional Coordinating Committee and the District Coordinating Committee with regard to the implementation of the development project. He further requested the public to pay more attention to the development projects as the support of the people in the relevant areas is vital for the success of the development projects.
Governor of the Western Province, Former Air Force Commander Roshan Goonetilleke, State Ministers Kanaka Herath, Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Prasanna Ranaweera, Nalaka Godahewa, Sisira Jayakody, Members of Parliament Kokila Harshani Gunawardena, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, District Secretary Sunil Jayalath and all Divisional Secretaries and Secretaries to Ministries were present at this discussion.
