President reviews 29 institutions of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry

Monday, 25 August 2025 03:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Highlights increasing export income and meeting plantation sector targets as key priorities
Instructs officials to identify land for new large-scale coconut plantations
President asks for plan for underutilised Department of Public Trustee lands
Calls for study on tea, rubber and strategy to expand cinnamon cultivation in Western Province
Notes need for industrial development strategy to address under-capacity caused by ‘artificially created’ domestic market
Overlapping institutional functions will be identified, with instructions to merge or dissolve entities where necessary

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday held a review of projects implemented under the 2025 Budget allocations for the Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry, along with preliminary discussions on the 2026 Budget, the President’s media office said.

The meeting extensively reviewed the progress of projects implemented by 29 institutions under the Ministry in 2025.

President Disanayake instructed officials to identify lands suitable for commercial-scale coconut plantations and promote their development. However, he noted that priority should be given to increasing the productivity of existing coconut plantations rather than focusing solely on new lands. The President also stressed the need to raise public awareness about existing laws and regulations governing the efficient use of privately-owned coconut estates.

Disanayake additionally instructed the preparation of a plan for the proper utilisation of underused Department of Public Trustee lands.

Discussions also covered the progress of estate housing projects, the development of plantation infrastructure, the establishment of smart classrooms in estate schools, and community empowerment programs in the plantation sector.

The President directed officials to conduct a thorough study of the smart classroom initiative and present a report.

Attention was also drawn to research activities related to the tea and rubber sectors, as well as efforts to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Sri Lankan cinnamon products. The President noted the potential for expanding cinnamon cultivation in the Western Province as a means to boost productivity and maximise land use.

Highlighting that many industries are currently operating at under-capacity due to the artificially created domestic market, the President emphasised the importance of carrying out a proper assessment and formulating a strategic plan for industrial development in Sri Lanka. The discussion also addressed the identification of overlapping functions within institutions under the Ministry, with instructions to merge relevant entities and dissolve those deemed unnecessary.

Increasing export income from the plantation sector and meeting desired targets were key points of discussion.

The meeting was attended by Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandra Keerthi, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, along with officials from institutions under the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry and senior officials from the Finance Ministry.