Global Lanka mulls model farms
 

by Hiran H. Senewiratne in London

UK based Sri Lankan property developer Global Lanka Holdings Ltd (GLH) is looking at possibilities to set up an agricultural model farm in Hambantota or Amparai at with an investment of US$ 20 million.

This model farm will be at an extent of 1,000 acres and be fully financed by Sri Lankan expatriates and foreign investors in UK, GLH Managing Director Phylix Selvadurai told the Daily News. He said that within the farm itself the company has planned to build tourists villas and a star class tourist resort to promote agro tourism in the area.

He said that private public partnership concept for this purpose is very successful in Western countries

"This is another way of helping Sri Lanka's agricultural methods and providing employment opportunities in the surrounding areas in the Hambantota district," Selvadurai said.

This is a new concept which operates with public and private sector partnership. Therefore the company expects a land to be released by the Government for this purpose, he said.

He also said that this is a model agricultural farm with a self sufficient concept from production to export.

He said that products that are produced at the model farm are basically long term crops are mainly for export. Once this is set up it will provide more than 2,000 employment opportunities in the area.

He said that the model farm comprises a crops processing plant in the farm itself and will be exported mainly to European markets. Selvadurai also said that in Europe itself it is estimated to have 300 shops owned by Sri Lankans and hope to promote these products among those shops and supermarkets in European markets.

He said that bringing investment is not a major problem but stressed that political stability is the need of the hour.