Rubber subsidies expedited
Shirley Wijesinghe
Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne has taken measures to
expedite the provision of subsidies to rubber growers for rubber
re-planting and new-planting.
According to Ministry sources, subsidies for rubber growers will be
finalised before the end of this month.
The Minister has already granted a cheque for Rs 15 million to 1,500
rubber growers recently at the Kegalle Town Hall. The subsidies have
been granted through the allocation of funds of the Rubber Development
Department.
Addressing the ceremony organized to distribute subsidies, Minister
Jayaratne said that action will be taken to double rubber production
within the next year.
“Thereby, it is envisaged to increase the export earnings from rubber
products during the year 2010 up to Rs,150 billion. It was Rs. 76
billion in the year 2008,” he said.
He said that a significant increase in the demand for natural rubber
had been observed during this year and no change of this situation would
be expected from next year due to environmental issues as a result of
the byproducts of the synthetic rubber industry and their application in
manufacturing of hygienic products for health services.
Finance and State Revenue Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Consumer
Affairs Minister H.R. Mithripala and Rubber Development Department
Director General R.B. Premadasa participated at this occasion. |