• To cover Ranna, Weeraketiya, and Walasmulla
• Agri. Minister notes improper utilisation of coconuts 

The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has decided to establish a new coconut triangle by planting 100,000 coconut trees in the Hambantota District, according to the Ministry of Plantation Industries.

While the arrangements to distribute coconut plants to villagers have already been made, the Ministry stated that the new coconut triangle is to be established covering the Ranna, Weeraketiya, and Walasmulla areas.

During a programme to distribute coconut plants, subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that 75% of the total coconut production in the country is used for local consumption. Although there is a potential to earn a significant income by exporting coconut, he said that Sri Lanka does not focus on exporting coconut.

“People in Sri Lanka consume 4.5 million coconuts a day, but the daily coconut production stands at only 3 million. Another issue is that a large number of coconuts are not utilised properly. We have therefore instructed the CDB to motivate the people to cultivate coconut in their gardens, and to get the maximum benefit of coconut,” he said.

The “coconut triangle” in Sri Lanka usually refers to the areas connected by the Kurunegala, Puttalam, and Colombo Districts. The main reason for the name “coconut triangle” is its geographical location between three major cities. They are known to be special areas that are mainly suitable for coconut cultivation as a commercial crop.