Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-09-16

Programme for the control of Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt and Rot disease

- “Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt and Rot disease” has spread in twelve (12) Divisional Secretariat Divisions of the Matara District, two (02) Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Hambantota District and two (02) Divisional Secretariat Divisions of the Galle District. It debilitates the palm resulting gradual reduction in the crop yield and as time goes by, the palm will be totally destroyed and it has been confirmed that the disease spreads to the healthy palms as well. Spreading the disease out of the diseased area has totally been controlled by the Disease Management Programme initiated and implemented in the year 2008 while, the disease is being managed successfully within the diseased area. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Plantations to further implement the said programme for the period from year 2021 to 2023, was approved by the Cabinet.