The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has launched an urgent campaign to remove 5,000 coconut trees in Matara as part of efforts to contain a newly identified insect infestation threatening the nation’s coconut industry.
The outbreak, caused by an invasive insect known locally as “Renda Makuna”, has led to the disease called “Weligama Wint”, which can cause affected trees to rot completely within two years. According to CCB Chairman Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, over 6,200 trees in Matara are already infected.
The CCB has deployed 20 teams, tasked with destroying 500 trees per day, aiming to curb the spread before it affects other key coconut-growing districts such as Galle and Hambantota.
Authorities suspect the insect may have been introduced from Indonesia via sea routes, raising concerns about the vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s coconut plantations to invasive species.
Dr. Jayakody warned that if not controlled, the outbreak could severely impact the country’s coconut production, highlighting the urgent need for proactive monitoring and protective measures to safeguard one of Sri Lanka’s most important agricultural sectors.
