Business
A turnaround in farmers’ opinion of oil palm cultivation
Farmers who supported the ban on the crop in 2021 now want it lifted
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Oil palm cultivation which underwent heavy criticism in Sri Lanka due to environmental concerns and subsequently led to a ban imposed on it by former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in April 2021 is now taking an interesting turn of events due to tea and rubber smallholders’ insufficient incomes and what they describe as ‘better awareness’ of oil palm cultivation.
With just over two and a half years, the very same tea and rubber smallholders who had protested against the cultivation of oil palm in their region are now appealing to the government to lift the ban and allow them to cultivate oil palm in their tea and rubber lands as an intercrop.
This surprising development in the rural agri-sector was revealed to The Island Financial Review (IFR) when it met with farmer members of Haritha Derana Society – a group of tea and rubber smallholders in Baduraliya, Matugama in Kalutara district recently.
“First of all, we must say that we were at the forefront of the campaign against oil palm cultivation which partly influenced the ban on the cultivation of oil palm in 2021 by the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. When we think back to what motivated us to join the protest bandwagon in 2021 and the current state of things on the ground, we feel remorse and guilt for not acting on wiser judgment. In fact, we were emotionally influenced by popular opinion that prevailed at the time, and we went with the flow without considering the true environmental science behind oil palm cultivation,” farmer Siripala Edirisinghe said.
“The effect of oil palm on groundwater resources isn’t significantly different from that of rubber. Scientifically, it is a fact that a single oil palm tree consumes about 249 litres of water per day against 63 litres by a rubber tree. However, the consumption of water per hectare of oil palm is only slightly higher than that of a hectare of rubber because fewer oil palms are planted per hectare. A hectare of rubber requires 31,500 litres of water per day while a hectare of oil palm requires 34,680 litres. This has been scientifically calculated and publicized”, farmer M.S. Samaranayake said.
“Oil palm cultivation in Galle district commenced about 50 years ago – long before in Kalutara district. However, there have been no reports to date of water shortages in Galle district due to oil palm. Kalutara district receives an annual average rainfall of about 318 millimeters and the region has 267 rainy days on average. This means it rains 73% of any given year. This year it was even more as you know. So, there is no basis for the concern that oil palm cultivation can lead to a deficit in water resource,” farmer T.A. Chandralal said.
“Lots of rain in our district has had an adverse impact on our tea and rubber plantations but not on oil palm estates. Heavy, unseasonal rains have drastically reduced rubber tapping in our region deeply eroding the income of rubber smallholders. Our tea growers also feel the impact of Climate Change on their ever-declining harvests and dwindling incomes. If you check tea brokers’ reports at the Colombo Tea Auction, you will see that the total auction offerings have declined fairly sharply and overall quality of Sri Lankan tea is barely maintained. So, the future indicates that our tea and rubber stallholders are between the devil and the deep blue sea. However, amidst these threats, we are encouraged to see the emerging awareness about oil palm as a vibrant, high-performing industry in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we urge the government to lift the ban and allow oil palm cultivations in our lands ensuring minimum side effects to the environment,” he said.
“Unlike tea and rubber, we need to work less time on oil palm lands between planting and fruit-bearing stage. It will give us a lot of time to attend our household chores and take care of our children’s wellbeing and school work and get them to attend school every day without playing truant and get better grades. I am sure if oil palm cultivation is allowed by the government, there will be a lot of female labour participation in the plantation sector. No other daily plantation work can give enough freedom to a poor working mother,” farmer Kumari Damayanthige said.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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