Coconut Cultivation Board to destroy 5,000 trees in Matara to curb disease

• 6,200 coconut trees in Matara alone have already been affected  
• 20 teams have been deployed to destroy coconut trees at a rate of 500 trees per day, with operations expected to continue for two weeks 

By Indika Sri Aravinda  

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has announced that it will cut down and destroy 5,000 coconut trees starting yesterday (11) in the Matara District to contain a rapidly spreading disease affecting coconut plantations.   

The disease, locally known as “Weligama Wint”, has been identified as an infestation caused by an invasive insect called the “Renda Makuna”. Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, Chairman of the CCB said that 6,200 coconut trees in Matara alone have already been affected.   

To combat the spread, 20 teams have been deployed to destroy coconut trees at a rate of 500 trees per day, with operations expected to continue for two weeks. Affected trees risk rotting completely within two years if not removed.   

Authorities warned that the disease is spreading to Galle, Hambantota, and other districts. The CCB suspects that the insect may have been introduced from Indonesia via sea routes.   

Dr. Jayakody highlighted that the infestation poses a serious threat to the country’s coconut production, and the tree destruction programme is necessary to control the outbreak and protect the industry.