Blight worsens in Southern province

Dr. Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Gr.Cor.

The blight that affected coconut cultivation in the Southern Province has worsened and about 225,273 coconut trees in the Matara district have been uprooted to prevent spreading of the blight, an official of the Coconut Cultivation Board told the Sunday Observer. Up to date compensation paid for the trees that were cut and removed by the owners amounted to Rs. 450,546. He said a remedy against the blight had not yet been found, and that the only way to prevent the spreading of the blight was to uproot and destroy the affected trees.

At present, the transport of coconut saplings or coconut by-products including coir fibre, coconut shells and husks from the affected areas to other areas has been prohibited.