Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-06-01

Sri Lanka - APCC Collaborative International Consultation on Phytoplasma Diseases in Coconut

- the Asian - Pacific Coconut Community which is an Intergovernmental Organization for the development of coconut industries based in Jakarta, Indonesia will be organizing the above event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Coconut Development and Janata Estate Development and the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka, from 15th to 17th June 2011 at the Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila. Phytoplasma which is a bacteria like organism lives inside plant tissues causing coconut leaf wilt deceases which is a threat to the coconut industry throughout the world. This was identified in the Southern Province in Sri Lanka in 2007. This Meeting will be attended by experts from several countries,where the prevalence of this deceases will be assessed and preventive strategies and measures discussed. This information was furnished to the Cabinet by Hon. Jagath Pushpakumara, Minister of Coconut Development and Janata Estate Development.