Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

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

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. In line with national agro-industrial and industrial development strategies, steps have been taken to recognize palmyrah as a crop of significant economic value in Sri Lanka. By supporting small and traditional industries, efforts are underway to strengthen palmyrah-based industries. The Palmyrah Development Board is being empowered with capacity and authority to advance technology, production methods and value addition in the sector.

¶ 03 (ii) Under the Felling of Trees (Control) Act, No. 9 of 1951 and its amendments, felling palmyrah trees is prohibited. However, for special reasons, felling may be permitted subject to a license issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture or an authorized officer. Field inspectors of the Palmyrah Development Board, together with Divisional Secretariats, scrutinize applications under the legal provisions before recommendations are made. As current legal measures are considered insufficient to prevent illegal and unnecessary felling, new provisions or strengthening existing laws are being pursued to ensure sustainable management and protection.

¶ 04 (iii) In 2025, a special project has commenced in suitable lands of the Northern and Eastern Provinces to plant 120,000 palmyrah seeds. Rs. 10 million has been allocated for this. October has been declared “Palmyrah Cultivation Month.” New cultivation programmes are being implemented with the cooperation of Divisional and District Secretariats and local communities. The Board provides technical guidance and high-quality seeds to ensure proper methods and higher productivity.

¶ 05 (iv) Yes. Cultivation is also being carried out in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara (Eastern Province), Puttalam (North Western), Anuradhapura (North Central) and Hambantota (Southern).

¶ 06 (v) Yes. New cultivation programmes are implemented in coordination with Divisional and District Secretariats, involving: • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) • Schools and universities • Private institutions • Vulnerable beneficiary groups

¶ 07 (vi) Yes. Rs. 10 million has been allocated in 2025, and Rs. 15 million is proposed for 2026.

¶ 08 (vii) No. The Palmyrah Development Board functions under the Coconut Development Act, No. 46 of 1971, as amended.

¶ 09 (b) (i) Conducting skills development training to promote various palmyrah-based products among rural women and youth; providing basic stipends to trainees and supplying necessary equipment for production; and providing technical and research support through the Palmyrah Research Institute for industry development.

¶ 10 (ii) Registering and coordinating palmyrah-product exporters to ensure a reliable supply chain of high-quality products; facilitating the export process jointly by the Ministry and the Palmyrah Development Board; and organizing an annual exporters’ convention from this year.

¶ 11 (iii) Yes. The strategy is to position palmyrah products as a prominent, sustainable, culturally significant category in global markets, and to provide continuous support until the industry contributes significantly to export earnings. Palmyrah-product exports earned Rs. 57.83 million in 2023, Rs. 228.6 million in 2024, and Rs. 203.19 million in the first four months of 2025.

¶ 12 (c) Does not arise.