It has been decided to remove the existing obstacles in toddy exports, establish a transparent and permanent mechanism in the future, and provide cooperative societies with the technical knowledge required for production aimed at exports.
This decision was taken at a discussion held today – on Thursday (10 September 2026), at the Governor’s Secretariat, under the co-chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources R. Chandrasekhar and the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan.
In particular, detailed discussions were held regarding the production of toddy for export by the Karainagar Palmyrah, Coconut Resources Development Cooperative Society.
As the said society has entered into an agreement with a private company and is currently carrying out toddy production based on the technical knowledge provided by that company, attention was paid to the views put forward by the Department of Cooperative Development regarding certain matters contained in the agreement.
Subsequently, consideration was given to reaching an appropriate agreement on the matters existing between the private company, the cooperative society and the Department of Cooperative Development. At the same time, the need for such activities to be carried out in the future under a transparent and stable mechanism, without allowing room for any ambiguity, was emphasized.
Furthermore, it was decided at the meeting to establish a separate mechanism through which the purchase of toddy from cooperative societies for export, as well as the provision of related technical knowledge, would be carried out in the future through a tendering procedure.
The Secretary to the Governor, Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Cooperative Sector, Northern Province Commissioner of Cooperative Development Department, Jaffna District Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development Department, Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development Department (Head Office), Cooperative Development Officer, representatives of the Northern Province Exporters’ Association, representatives of the Karainagar Palmyrah, Coconut Resources Development Cooperative Society and the founder of Tappers Dew Private Limited participated in this discussion.
