The US Ambassador in Colombo, Julie Chung visited Asia’s only Palmyrah Research Centre in Jaffna recently and pledged assistance to develop research activities.
She said that they were keen to support the marketing of palmyrah products in Western countries.
Many people in the North find their livelihoods by engaging in Palmyrah cultivation. “We are keen to support this segment,” Chung said.
Chairman of Palmyrah Development Board (PDB), Dr. Krishantha Pathiraja said that they were honoured by the US Ambassador’s visit to the institution. “She was very keen on the advanced research we do and pledged support to increase our R&D standards.” She was impressed with the number of products made from Palmyrah.
Pathiraja said that studies are being conducted expeditiously to take palmyrah products as well as Palmyrah liquor to the next level.
He said that they have also started marketing these items overseas including Europe and the UK and the response was very positive. “Palmyrah brandy and arrack too is exported to the UK and Canada and all these products bring in forex to Sri Lanka and each year the export figures increase.”
“We hope that with the assistance of the US Embassy we will be able to take some of these products to the US market,” Pathiraja said.
