Botanic Gardens revenue up

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The annual income of the Department of Botanic Gardens in 2014 recorded a noteworthy increase compared to 2013. National Botanical Gardens Department Director General Dr. Cyril Wijesundara said the Department recorded over 17% increase in the revenue earned from foreign visitors.

The income for 2014 was over Rs. 4.46 million of which Rs. 3.7 million was earned from tickets issued to foreigners. All four botanic gardens recorded nearly 345,470 foreign visitors. In 2013 the number of foreign visitors was 293,454, Wijesundara said.

A number of projects were implemented during 2013 and 2014 to improve the infrastructure facilities and services of the four botanic gardens of Sri Lanka in Peradeniya, Hakkagala, Mirijjawila and Awissawella. In addition, the National Botanic Gardens Department has introduced several programs to promote conservation of flora in Sri Lanka through research and ‘in situ’ conservation methods in collaboration with local and foreign universities.

Through these botanic gardens floriculture is promoted across the country as a self employment venture and steps are taken to improve the quality of the products such as cut flowers, foliage and potted plants - to suit the demand in the global market.