Coconut production in East gets boost

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

Coconut development in the East will get a boost under the 'East reawakening' program, after the east being liberated from terrorism.

A total of 1000 coconut saplings will be distributed by the coconut triangle project. The new scheme will be launched in other parts of the country as coconut cultivation in the Gampaha, Colombo, Kurunegala and Puttalam have been neglected due to various development projects.

The program envisages planting 1200 coconut saplings in the Ampara district before the end of this year, with a target of 3.6 million coconut saplings countrywide.

Meanwhile the liberated people of Vakarai will benefit under a new indigenous medical programme to be implemented shortly.

The clinic will be conducted once a week in Vakarai the 'Hela Veda Medura' after the construction of 'Hela Veda Medura' is completed, said Minister of Indigenous Medicine Tissa Karaliyadda.

After the capture of Vakarai and Thoppigala, a health clinic in Vakarai was held this month with about twenty patients, both Sinhalese and Tamils, seeking treatment.

The 'Hela Veda Medura' costing Rs. One million with the foundation stone laid on Aug. 18 in Vakarai on the instructions of the Minister. An ayurvedic doctor on a permanent basis will be posted to this clinic when the building is completed.