A meeting to review the progress of the Coconut Triangle Zone Project in the Northern Province, as well as to explore the possibility of planting coconut seedlings in coastal areas, was held today – on Friday, 27 March 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
During the discussion, Assistant General Manager of the Coconut Cultivation Board, T. Vaikunthan, provided an update on the progress of the Coconut Triangle Zone Project, which was inaugurated last September by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He stated that 16,000 acres have been identified and the required coconut seedlings have already been distributed to beneficiaries. He further noted that the project will continue this year as well. He also elaborated on the challenges faced in implementing the project.
Meanwhile, in response to a request made by the Hon. Governor, he also explained the feasibility of planting coconut seedlings in suitable coastal areas of the Northern Province. He pointed out that several fisheries associations have expressed their support for this initiative. Based on this, it was decided to select a village in the Jaffna District and proceed with planting coconut seedlings along its coastal belt as a pilot initiative.
Furthermore, the Hon. Governor highlighted that measures were taken last year to control the spread of whitefly infestations, which have been widely observed across the Northern Province. However, he noted that with the current hot weather conditions, the infestation has increased again. Emphasizing that biological control methods are the most effective solution, the Governor requested that research conducted by the Agricultural Research Division in Kilinochchi, funded by the Northern Provincial Council, be expedited. He also mentioned that letters have already been sent to the research division of the Coconut Cultivation Board and the relevant ministry, and expressed his expectation to bring the research team to the province soon.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor of Northern Province, the Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, the Additional District Secretary of Jaffna District, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, the Additional Director of the Agricultural Research Division, and a representative of the fisheries associations.
