Construction work begins on First temperature controlled Warehouse

The construction of the first Temperature and Humidity Controlled Warehouse Complex for Perishables in Sri Lanka with a capacity of 5000 tonnes 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, Tharanjith Singh Sandu, on Saturday at the adjoining land of Dambulla Economic Centre.

This Agro Cold Storage complex is constructed with a financial grant from the Indian government 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.

Dr. De Silva at the inauguration of this ceremony said “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 of 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 climatecontrolled logistic facilities and the Ministry plans to give opportunities for investors to construct a vegetable and fruit processing complex around the Dambulla cold storage complex.