(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Revitalizing the coconut-related products industry in the country and marking a significant milestone in history, Sri Lanka officially launched its second Coconut Triangle in the Northern Province on Saturday.
Minister of Industries and Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana inaugurated the ‘Northern Coconut Triangle’ planting a coconut sapling in the Model Coconut Garden in Pallai, Jaffna Saturday.
In conjunction with the celebration of the World Coconut Day, the Northern Coconut Triangle was launched with the theme “Kapruka to the North – Northern Coconut Triangle” based on the 5 districts of the Northern Province with the districts of Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Mannar as the center.
Along with that, the Minister joined in opening the modernized Jaffna District Office of the Coconut Development Authority and the newly established branch office of the Coconut Research Institute.
Through the Northern Coconut Triangle, 3 million new coconut plants will be added to the cultivation lands of the Northern Province.
The Minister said the Ministry of Plantation Industry’s expectation is to increase the export income of coconut-related products in this country to 2 billion US dollars in the next 5 years by adding the industrial innovation that will be created in the North through the Industry 2023 Jaffna Edition industry exhibition.
Minister Dr. Pathirana said he believes that the new branch office of the Coconut Research Institute will play a leading role for the coconut growing industry in the Northern Province in achieving those goals.
The best coconut growers in the Northern Province were also recognized at the event.
On this occasion, Wanni District Member of Parliament K. Thilipan, Plantation Industry Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharma Keerthy, Coconut Cultivation Board Chairman Madhavi Herath, Coconut Development Authority Chairman Prof. Roshan Perera, Coconut Research Institute Chairman Malraj Peiris and other government officials and local people were present.
