The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i), (ii) Information on types and annual quantities is sourced from the Plant Quarantine Division of the Department of Agriculture. For imports of cut flower types, only recommendations are issued by the Department of National Botanic Gardens (under the Ministry of Environment). As per Sri Lanka Customs data, annual quantities are annexed as Annex 01.

¶ 03 (iii) As per Customs data, the annual expenditure on flower imports is approximately Rs. 746 million (details in Annex 01).

¶ 04 (iv) Among imported flowers, the following can be grown in Sri Lanka: - Rose, Carnation, Gerbera, Hydrangea, Camphor, Anthurium, Alstroemeria, Limonium, Gypsophila, Orchid, Philodendron, Lily varieties, Sunflower.

¶ 05 Currently, many small and medium-scale growers operate in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts. Through the “Suwahas Mal” project, the Department of National Botanic Gardens supports 16 associations with technology, material assistance, and market access, and across the island supports 214 associations similarly.

¶ 06 (v) In addition, the Department has prepared a Strategic Plan for Floriculture Sector Development (Annex 02), including proposals for large-scale cultivation, with five main objectives, one being the development of the domestic cut-flower industry. Key elements include: - Identifying and supporting growers (primarily in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla) with technical and financial assistance and improving infrastructure. - Forming a growers’ cooperative to manage demand and supply. - Establishing a national auction for flowers to regulate production and demand. - Establishing model floriculture parks in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, with land for large-scale cultivation, demonstration plots, laboratories, and initiatives to enhance domestic production.

¶ 07 (b) Not applicable.

¶ 08 Annexes 01 and 02 are tabled.