Sri Lanka revives factories and new programme for planters

Sri Lanka revives factories and new programme for plantersTHE Sri Lankan government has leased out three state-owned rubber factories that were listed for liquidation due to their incurred losses. The factories are now being revived under new managements through the government’s diversification programme on loss making enterprises.

The three factories that were leased out are the Mawanella Centrifuged Latex/Block Rubber Factory, Bicycle Tyre and Tube Factory in Mawanella and the Badureliya Crape Rubber Factory in Kalutara district. The factories have been leased out on a 30-year management lease agreement for Rs82.26 million. The government has decided to revive loss making state enterprises through public-private partnerships instead of liquidating them.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute has introduced a new programme called “Arunella” to increase productivity and income of middle-scale rubber plantation in the island. This programme has targeted rubber plantations over 10 acres. Under this programme, the owners will be informed on proper use of fertilisers and agro chemicals, control of diseases, production of quality rubber sheets and market conditions.(PRA)