- it has been observed that there are about 10 million Palmyrah trees in the Northern Province alone which has contributed to the Northern economy as a source of food and beverages, craft sector development, provision of timber and leaves for housing and shelter, projection of heritage and culture and in generating income earning opportunities for the people living in the relevant areas.  There are over 70,000 families depending on the Palmyrah Sector, directly and indirectly in the Northern Province. The Palmyrah sector contributes to the livelihood development through variety of palmyrah based value added products such as -

*    Sap based products (jaggery, treacle, sweet toddy etc.);
*    Fruit based products (soft drinks, panadu, jam etc.);
*    Leaf based products (handicraft, dustbins, bags, table mats etc.);
*    Fibre based products (broomsticks, brushes etc.);
*    Tuber based products (odial, palm posha, odial flour etc.); and
*    Wood based products (timber, furniture etc.)

Palmyrah based handicraft training is to be expanded in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including Puttalam and Hambantota Districts.  The proposal made by Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, to implement the identified projects that need State intervention on a priority basis under the Medium Term Budgetary Framework through the Palmyrah Development Board in the Northern Province, was approved by the Cabinet.