Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, Chilaw Plantations and Kurunegala Plantations are two state plantation companies under our Ministry focused on coconut. Historically, they faced challenges and pressures, profits declined and lands were underutilized. When we assumed office, several plantation companies had not applied fertilizer to coconuts for nearly four years. Now both Chilaw and Kurunegala have proper maintenance regimes. To harvest a tree, you must care for it—provide fertilizer, inputs, pest control and upkeep. These have now commenced properly.

¶ 02 We thank the Russian Government for donating 27,500 MT of MOP fertilizer, which we distributed to coconut growers and plantation companies. Some underutilized lands are being brought under new cultivation—coconut, cashew promotion, and crops like mango. Some underutilized lands are given to farmers on lease for cultivation. As a result, profitability of our companies, including Chilaw, has improved significantly within a year.