Mini coconut triangle for South

by Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Government will introduce a separate mini coconut triangle down South covering Middeniya, Tangalle and Ranna areas. This aims to popularise the coconut industry in non-traditional areas to increase the productivity in the country.

The introduction of the mini-triangle is due to the decrease of 50,000 acres of land area in the triangle during the last few decades, Chairman Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB), Dr Jayantha Gunathilake told Daily News.

The rapid urbanisation and fragmentation of existing coconut lands in the country have resulted in the decrease of land areas in the country.

The Government will cultivate 1,700 acres of coconut in the Hambantoata district out of which 1,000 acres will be cultivated in the minicoconut triangle. The CCB is planning to cultivate 2,000 acres in 2006 and expected to cultivate more than 10,000 acres within a five-year development programme.

The electorates under the new mini triangle are Mulkirigala, Beliatta and Tangalle.