Plans to promote floriculture in Hambantota

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Botanical Gardens Department plans to promote floriculture in Hambantota and nearby villages as the climate of the area is favourable for a variety of export quality ornamental flowers. According to Director General of Botanical Gardens, Dr. Siril Wijesundara, there is a range of possibilities to grow ornamental plants targeting the export market.

"With the Mattala International Airport coming up in Hambantota, many of the difficulties faced by flower exporters will be minimised if they are established in Hambantota.

The main problems faced by ornamental plant product exporters are the cost and not enjoying priority basis for their perishable cargo. According to the plans, Mattala Airport will have more favourable systems for such cargo items and will help promote exports," Dr. Wijesundara said. Under the Divi Neguma livelihood development program conducted on the directive of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the floriculture industry is spreading fast in Sri Lanka's dry zone capital city.

"The area is drier than many other parts of the country, but does not have extreme weather. Ornamental plants such as orchids grow in these areas and if the conditions are extreme, simple measures can be used to control the dry condition," Dr. Wijesundara said.

There are large extents of untouched land in Hambantota and the Botanical Gardens Department, with the assistance of the Economic Development Ministry, is looking into promoting floriculture as a mass-scale industry in Hambantota.