No shortage of coconuts, mafia created: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Claiming that there is no shortage of coconut in the country, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said today there is an attempt to create an artificial shortage in the market.

The Minister told Parliament that the total coconut harvest is expected to be 2,684 million in 2024 whereas it is a 14 percent decrease when compared to last year.

Responding to a question raised by SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka that there is an acute shortage of coconuts in the market, the Minister said there is an attempt to create a coconut mafia in the market.

He said the government is planning to distribute coconut produce of state owned plantations through the Sathosa outlets adding that Kurunegala and Chilaw Plantations will provide one million coconuts while the Coconut Development Authority is prepared to provide 500,000 coconuts for next two weeks.