By Skandha Gunasekara
The Government is to amend legislation to reduce the sale of coconut cultivation land for other purposes, The Morning learnt.
Minister of Plantations Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the Coconut Estates (Control of Fragmentation) Board Act would be amended to reduce the size of a plot of coconut cultivation land that could be sold.
“At present, the maximum plot of coconut cultivation land that could be sold is 10 acres. We will bring that down to a maximum five acres.”
In addition, he said the Government expects to introduce a mechanism to seek approval to fell coconut trees.
“Right now, approval must be sought to cut down jack trees and certain other trees. We want to bring coconuts under this category too.”
“At present, the maximum plot of coconut cultivation land that could be sold is 10 acres. We will bring that down to a maximum five acres.”
In addition, he said the Government expects to introduce a mechanism to seek approval to fell coconut trees.
“Right now, approval must be sought to cut down jack trees and certain other trees. We want to bring coconuts under this category too.”