The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna

¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, I table the answer.

¶ 02 Answer tabled.

¶ 03 (a) (i) I am aware that palmyrah toddy is wasted. Reactivating the Thikkam Distillery is necessary as a solution. It is expected to receive toddy not only from Jaffna but also from Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu Districts. (ii) The minimum daily toddy input capacity required for the proposed distillery is 30,000 litres, which would help prevent wastage in the Northern Province. (iii) The boiler, distillation and bottling units were installed in 1984 and periodically repaired over the years; however, due to deterioration, many machines are now nonfunctional. The Thikkam Distillery has not operated since 2012. (iv) In April 2022, the then management of the Palmyrah Development Board entered into a 25-year long-term lease with Royal Cast (Pvt.) Ltd., under National Procurement Guidelines, to renovate and operate the distillery. However, due to protests by palmyrah development co-operative societies that supply toddy (the raw material), operations have not commenced. They demand independent operation by the co-operatives. (v) Discussions are ongoing among the co-operative societies and the private entity to find an acceptable solution. (vi) No. (vii) In 2018, the then Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs allocated Rs. 180 million in the Annual Budget to reactivate the distillery. (viii) In 2021, the Department of Buildings completed the administrative building, water tank, guardroom, toilets and workers’ rest room at a cost of approximately Rs. 60 million. Following a Line Ministry decision to operate production through a private company, the remaining funds were returned to the Ministry of Finance in 2023. (ix) The Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure is discussing with stakeholders and, upon reaching agreement, will proceed with further development.

¶ 04 Benefits of modernization include: - Increased market demand for palmyrah toddy. - Minimization of spoilage and losses. - Increased income and livelihood security. - More employment opportunities. - Improved product quality and market competitiveness. - Higher export earnings through high-quality, competitive products targeting foreign markets.

¶ 05 (b) (i) Yes. The private sector utilizes surplus toddy to produce palmyrah toddy juice, surgical spirits, and other value-added products. (ii) Projects include: - Development of high-quality seedlings and promotion of sustainable cultivation. - Model palmyrah farms and prevention of illegal felling. - Research to enhance product quality and diversification. - Domestic and export market promotion under the “Katpaham” brand. - Training programmes for women, youth and unemployed groups in palmyrah-based livelihoods. - Operation and support for production centres using palmyrah sap, fruit and sprouts (treacle, jaggery, juice, jam, handicrafts). - Strengthening co-operative societies and community enterprises. - Formulation and implementation of policies on cultivation, production and marketing. - Coordination of regional offices and field progress reviews. - Awareness, exhibitions and public events to promote palmyrah and related products. - Annual “Palmyrah Seedling Planting Month” and other community programmes.

¶ 06 (c) Not applicable.