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Rubber seasoning factory death knell for Kalutara's rubber industry?

by Wadduwa special correspondent

Rubber plantation is the major source of income of Kalutara villagers. With the opening of a factory to season rubber at Ingiriya, Horana, which requires more than 4,000 rubber trees as raw-material to season wood, the rubber industry in Kalutara district will come to an end.

This was discussed by officials and representatives at the co-ordinating committee meeting of Kalutara district presided by Labour and Employment Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.

Lands Minister Rajitha Senaratna, parliamentarians P. D. Abeyratne and Nandana Goonetilleke, the Provincial Council members, heads of departments of Kalutara district and Pradeshiya Sabha and Urban Council chairmen also participated. Assistant propaganda officer of the Department of Rubber A. V. Nihal said more than 4,000 rubber trees are essential to the factory. "Rubber smallholders are induced to uproot the rubber trees as they can obtain a higher rate for each tree. Under this project, if the rubber trees were to be uprooted, other industries based on rubber will come to a halt affecting the rural economy.

However, the factory of seasoning of rubber wood has been approved by the Board of Investment without considering the raw-material required by the factory," he said.

Sumedha de Silva, representing the Board of Investment said the uprooting of rubber trees is a major problem, but the people should be encouraged to re-plant rubber to avoid the disaster that would be faced by the rubber industry in the Kalutara district.

Horana Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ranjith Dabare said even if the people are encouraged to re-plant rubber, it takes at least 10 years for its normal growth.

"In 10 years, if the trees were uprooted in this manner, the rubber industry in Kalutara district would come to an end affecting the economy," he said. The rubber seasoning factory requires about 50 bowsers of water daily to season the wood. There will be an acute shortage of water during drought, he said.

Western Province Provincial Council member Sanjaya Galaboda said the uprooting of rubber trees in large scale will not only affect Kalutara district, but also Ratnapura district. It will also affect tea plantation. Rubber trees are used as fire-wood for tea factories to dry the tender tea leaves, he said.

If there is a shortage of fire-wood, tea-factory owners will be compelled to use furnace oil, which will change the taste of tea. Sometimes the price of bread will have to be increased if there is a shortage of fire-wood, he said.

Minister Samarasinghe said he has no intention to close the rubber seasoning factory at Ingiriya, but will discuss with the Ministry of Plantation and the Sri Lanka Investment Board before making a final decision. Deputy Director of Rubber Control K. V. P. M. G. Gamage said the replanting of rubber is very slow as the people are interested in growing other crops.

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