Sun shines on Botanical Gardens

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The number of foreigners visiting the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens has increased by 76 percent since the beginning of this year, according to Dr. Siril Wijesundara, Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens.

"We have observed a marked increase in the number of visitors to the park and up to August 31 the park has earned Rs.115 million. In 2009 the income was Rs.128 million," Dr. Wijesundara said. The infrastructure facilities have been upgraded in the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which presently comes under the purview of the Economic Development Ministry.

"Under the Mahinda Chinthana the Government plans to expand the number of botanical gardens to 20 by 2016. At present we have only three set up during the colonial era. The Botanical Gardens was established in Peradeniya in 1821, in Haggala in 1861 and in Gampaha in 1876. A Botanical Garden at Mirijjawila in Hambantota will be set up soon," he said.

The Department of National Botanical Gardens plans to complete phase one of the Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens by the end of this year."It has 300 acres of land, twice as large as the Peradeniya Gardens. The technology and expertise is entirely from Sri Lankan scientists and technicians," said Dr. Wijesundara. "Paying more attention to conserving dry zone vegetation is important as we have been losing most of our dry zone flora during the past few years," he said. Another wet zone botanical garden of 62 acres is under construction at Ilukkowita in Avissawella which the Department expects to complete by next year.