Rs 517 mn for developing botanical gardens

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga says Rs. 517 million has been allocated for the development of botanical gardens in the country next year.

The Minister said that the Peradeniya, Gampaha, Hakgala, Seethawaka and Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens would be developed under this initiative.

The Ministry of Tourism has said in a media statement that Rs. 177.1 million has been allocated for the development of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Rs. 60.5 million for the development of the Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens and Ganewatta Herbal Gardens, Rs. 63.5 million for the development of the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Rs. 25.58 million for the development of Mirijjawila Dry Zone Botanical Gardens and Rs. 24.2 million has been allocated for the development of the Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Gardens.

In addition, Rs. 47 million has been allocated for the development of infrastructure for the benefit of the flower growers. About 5,000 persons will benefit from the scheme.

Funds have also been allocated for the Meegalewa Haritha Piyasa Training Centre, arboretum and Plant Classification and Research Programme.

The Minister has said the government hopes to develop all the botanical gardens in the country under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism this year to attract local and foreign tourists.