Second 'Kapruka Isurusela' in Gampola
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Sachin Sikka
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The Coconut Development Authority (CDA), the organisation responsible
for the development of the coconut industry in Sri Lanka, joined a
community based women's organisation "Ganga Siripura Lalana Saviya" of
Gampola to set up a "Kapruka Isurusela" in Ambuluwawa, Gampola today,
said a spokesman for the SDA.
The Kapruka Isurusela will be opened by Minister of Plantation
Industries, D. M. Jayaratne, at 10.00 a.m. today on the invitation of
Minister of Coconut Development, Salinda Dissanayake. As Gampola is
being transformed into a major tourist city due to the efforts of
Minister Jayaratne there will be a high demand for coconut products in
the near future.
The CDA has initiated a number of programs to enhance the local and
export markets for coconut products in the recent past. Among them are
opening a sales and display centre initially at Nawala Road, Narahenpita
early this year.
The main objectives of opening these centres are; providing market
openings for small-scale manufacturers to popularise coconut products in
the local market and making coconut products available at a reasonable
price for consumers.
The spokesman said that although Gampola is out of the Coconut
Triangle, the climatic conditions in this historic city favour coconut
cultivation.
Most of the villagers in this region grow coconut in home-gardens for
their daily consumption. As a result the byproducts such as fibre and
coconut shells are not being used effectively and there is a need to
address this issue by introducing small-scale coconut industries and
cottage industries.
The "Lalana Saviya Kantha Sangamaya" is already engaged in
manufacturing various items apart from the coconut tree. Therefore this
would be an ideal opportunity and forum to market their products with a
reasonable margin.
This would also negate the bad image about coconut oil and other
coconut products. The centre will also function as an information centre
for coconut products, said the spokesman.
(SG) |
