Protest over Oil Palm cultivation in Weligama

A massive protest was held in Weligama Kokmaduwa area recently against the commencement of Oil Palm cultivation in the Gallala Estate which is managed by the Namunukula Estate Company and located in the Welipitiya Divisional Secretariat area, under the administration of the Weligama Police. The protestors claimed that by replacing Tea, Coconut and Rubber cultivation in this estate of about 1300 acres and planting Oil Palms would lead to the drying up of underground water resources and thereby destroying the environment. They demanded that the government steps in and stop this Palm Oil cultivation forthwith.

The protest which began from the Weligama Kokmaduwa exit of the Southern Expressway blocking the entrance led by the Maha Sangha and a large crowd of people marched towards the junction leading to the Gallala Estate and remained there for some time and later dispersed. This protest caused a severe traffic disruption in the area.

When inquired about this situation from the Management of the Gallala Estate, its Assistant Superintendent Madusha Gunawardene said that it has not been proved scientifically that Palm Oil cultivations destroy underground water resources. There are 21 Estate companies in the country and the Gallala estate belongs to the Namunukula group. The Ministry of Plantation Industries had permitted to use 20% of their estate lands for the cultivation of Palm Oil. He said further that the government had not prohibited the cultivation of Palm Oil and even the courts had not given any orders to prevent its cultivation. We import the Oil Palm seeds with approval from the government.

The prices of Tea, Coconut and Rubber always fluctuate, and it is necessary to have some alternative to stabilize the earnings of the estates, and therefore the cultivation of Palm Oil had been considered. Out of the total requirement of Oil in Sri Lanka only 35% is produced locally and the balance imported.

It has been observed that the Palm Oil cultivation would be a good alternative. It is not true that we have retrenched workers, they had left on their own for better jobs.