The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Thank you, Mr. Presiding Member. Following the remarks from a Member within the coconut triangle, as someone from the heart of the coconut triangle, I wish to speak.

¶ 02 There is strong global demand for coconut. We must act to capture that market. Prices can be set across coconut water, milk, oil, desiccated coconut, and other products; the kapruka provides value throughout. Value-added products can be made. Our exporters are currently in crisis due to coconut shortages; we struggle to compete with Vietnam and the Philippines. Attention has been drawn to SVAT; removing SVAT and taking other basic measures to protect the industry would greatly help. Low-interest loans would also help, as these operators bring in dollars — as mentioned, roughly USD 800 million — with a target to reach USD 1,000 million.

¶ 03 About six to seven months ago, Russia provided 55,000 MT of MOP fertilizer. About 27,000 MT were given to tea; the remaining 27,500 MT were to be blended with phosphate and urea and distributed to coconut. I do not know why distribution is delayed; some allege it’s being held for election time. Fertilizer should be distributed before the rains, not before elections; otherwise the rains will wash it away.