Foundation laid for Temperature Controlled Cold Storage facility for Perishables in Dambulla
The construction of the first Temperature and Humidity Controlled Warehouse Complex for Perishables in Sri Lanka with a capacity of 5000 metric tons capable of storing the excess harvest of vegetables and fruits was initiated by Minister of Economic Reforms & Public Distribution Dr. Harsha de Silva and the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, His Excellency Tharanjith Singh Sandu, today (30) at the adjoining land of Dambulla Economic Centre.
This Agro Cold Storage complex is constructed with a financial grant from the government of India and it is scheduled to be completed within six months. This is done under a concept of the Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Dr Harsha de Silva- "Prabhashwara - A Great Leap Forward for Farmer’s Life". The Cold Storage complex in Dambulla will be comprised of six separated sections of different temperature and humidity levels. Using this facility, the farmers in the area will be able to store their excess harvest at a concessionary price for a much longer period.
Minister of Economic Reforms & Public Distribution, Dr. Harsha De Silva at the inauguration of this ceremony held today, said that;
“During the periods when there is an excess harvest, farmers had to throw the excess harvest for elephants to eat. For a long time, I was searching for an answer to this question. I had an interest in doing something on this since 2002. Together with Dambulla Economic Centre we even initiated a programme called Govignana, to give on-time market information to farmers. I am glad that I have the opportunity to address this issue.”
This year's budget provides a series of tax concessions for investors investing in climate-controlled logistic facilities and the Ministry plans to give opportunities for investors to construct a vegetable and fruit processing complex around the Dambullacold storage complex.
This program is being implemented by the Food Commissioner's Department of the Ministry of Economic Reforms and Public Distributions, and the Food Commissioner Mrs.J.Krishnamoorthy plays the key role in making this program a success.
This can be mentioned as the first step towards an innovative diversion of farmer's surplus stored in the cold storage facilities, to local and foreign markets on time. Followed by this project, there will be similar agro-storage complexes constructed in Keppetipola covering the Central Province, Jaffna covering the Northern Province, Embilipitiya covering the Southern Provinces under the "Prabhashwara" Program.
