Govt. establishes Kithul Development Board

• 7-member Board to be headed by Gihan Priyanath Perera 
• Board will commence with initial capital of Rs. 50 m
• Tasked with developing and promoting kithul plantations, products
• Board empowered to register proprietors, manufacturers, auctioneers 

Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana has made an order under the Coconut Development Act to establish the Kithul Development Board with an initial capital of Rs. 50 million in a bid to promote the crop. 

The order made under the Coconut Development Act has specified the functions of the Board after Cabinet approval was given last year for its establishment. 

The Kithul Development Board will consist of seven members and its functions will include the development and assistance in the development of the productivity of land in kithul plantations and promotion of the crop. 

Gihan Priyanath Perera has been named the Chairman of the seven-member Board, while the others include three ex-officio members who will each represent the Plantations Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). The balance three members will be appointed by the Plantations Minister.

The newly-established Board is tasked with promoting new techniques in the processing of kithul products; modernisation of the sector and prescribing and maintaining of standards of quality of kithul products manufactured in or exported from Sri Lanka.

The Board will also regulate the purchase and sale of kithul products, introduce minimum and maximum price schemes and price stabilisation schemes for kithul products in general and for small holders’ kithul products in particular. 

It will also promote kithul-based products both locally and overseas, conduct further scientific research in respect of the growth and cultivation of kithul as well as carry out related training programs.

The Board will have special powers vested to register kithul plantations and the proprietors of such plantations, manufacturers of kithul products, auctioneers and brokers engaged in the purchase and sale of kithul products and dealers in and shippers of related goods. 

It will determine the qualifications, terms and conditions, procedure, and annual fees payable for such registration, and has the discretion to remove from or restore to the register any name.

The Board will also regulate, control, supervise, direct, manage and inspect the cultivation and utilisation of land in kithul plantations and the cultivation of land with the plants.

The Gazette establishing the Board was issued by Minister Pathirana this week.