One million coconut sapling cultivation programme to mark President’s birthday

Chaminda PERERA

A programme to cultivate one million coconut saplings throughout the country to mark President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s birthday and seventh anniversary since assuming of duties as President will be launched by the Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry. This programme will be inaugurated from the Madulla Divisional Secretariat division tomorrow.

According to Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, over 100,000 coconut saplings are to be planted in the Madulla Divisional Secretariat Division to mark this occasion. Addressing a media briefing at the ministry, he said coconut saplings will not be issued if the recipients have not prepared grounds for cultivation.

"We issue coconut saplings only after the digging of pits for coconut planting is completed", he said. He said this programme is to be completed within two weeks beginning from November 18. Over 100,000 coconut saplings are to be cultivated in estates coming under the purview of Coconut Cultivation Board, Coconut Research Institute and Chilaw and Kurunegala plantation companies and the rest is to be cultivated all parts of the country, Minister Pushpakumara said. Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera and senior officials were also present.