In conjunction with World Coconut Day celebrations, the inaugural ceremony of the Northern Coconut Triangle Zone, themed “Nation is Prosperity – The Wealth of the Katpakatharu (Palm),” was held on Tuesday morning (02.09.2025) at the Kanthaswamy Temple premises in Puthukudiyiruppu, under the leadership of His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The event was also attended by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Prior to the main event, the President, accompanied by the Governor, visited an exhibition on coconut cultivation held at the premises opposite Puthukudiyiruppu Central College. Following the exhibition, the President proceeded to the main event stage.
The Mullaitivu District Secretary, A. Umamaheswaran, welcomed His Excellency the President by draping him with a golden shawl.
This initiative aims to undertake coconut cultivation across 16,000 acres in the Northern Province, with plans to double this figure by 2027. The Coconut Triangle Zone will be established by connecting Kokkilai in Mullaitivu District, Silavathurai in Mannar District, and Point Pedro in Jaffna District.
During the event, the Secretary of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure delivered the welcome address. A book published by the Coconut Cultivation Board was also launched. Speeches were delivered by the Hon. Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathna, and Hon. Parliamentarian K. Thilakanathan. Cultural performances by students were also held. The event concluded with an address by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Following this, the benefit deeds were handed over to 15 farmers, and certificates and awards were presented to outstanding farmers. Subsidies for fertilizers, cheques for purchasing rope-making machines, and cheques for coconut charcoal producers were also distributed.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, and Ports Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources R. Chandrasekar, Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Upali Samarasinghe, Vanni District Parliamentarian M. Jegatheeswaran, Chairmen of Authorities, Indian Consul General Sai Murali, the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Secretaries of Northern Province Ministries, District Secretaries of the five districts in the Northern Province, Heads of Departments, and the general public.
