News

Rs 517 mn for developing botanical gardens

Published

4 years ago

2020/12/29

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.

All News Advertisement

News

“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.

Latest News

Former state minister arrested by CID

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

News

President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/8

Priyan

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.

The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.

Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.