Amaraweera felicitates Ellawala for developing better mango variety

Ministry of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday met the horticulturist Thomas Ellawala (88) and paid him a tribute for introducing the hybridized variety of TEJC mangoes that earned international repute.

The new mango variety produced with the help of a Philippine horticulturist Juan Carlos and has been named Thomas Ellawala – Juan Carlos (TEJC) mango variety.

The new variety fitted the dry zone climate and yielded crops throughout the year so that the cultivators could find a remunerative foreign market.

Minister said that Mr Ellawala deserved the respect of the entire nation and wished him long life.

He conveyed President Maithripala Sirisena’s message of felicitation as well.

Mrs Kalani Ellawala and son Suresh Ellawala were present on the occasion.

According to the Ellawala Horticulture Pvt. Ltd. website, the first generation was introduced to Sri Lanka perhaps from Australia, Florida or Malaysia.

“Introduction might have been during the late eighties. The Tome emerged as a new variety among the collection of many local and introduced mango varieties. The Tome or TJC Mango received formal recognition from the Department of Agriculture in 2003 and is now a recommended variety for the Dry & intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka.

“Rajamaha Farm’s large-scale planting of mango was initially confined to the popular variety recommended by the Dept. of Agriculture, namely Karthakolomban or KC. Small extents of other local and introduced varieties were also planted. Under similar management practices, it has been proven that TJC is superior to KC in relation to the time taken for maturity, flowering habits, production per tree, fruit quality, resistance to pests and diseases and acceptance by the export market,” the website said.