The cabinet of ministers of Sri Lanka has granted approval for the lease of 66 acres of state land in Anuradhapura District to a private entity to set up Komarika (Aloe vera) project co-cabinet spokesman Dr Ramesh Pathirana told today (31). According to the minister, the land has been granted on a long term lease basis to Aura Lanka Herbals (Pvt) Ltd, a herbal product company.
The proposal has been submitted by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and the Minister for lands.
The company seeks to invest 783 million US dollars for the entire project including 300 million dollars in capital, Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana further stated.
The firm expects to set up aloe vera seedling nurseries in 2000 acres in Rajanganaya and Nochchiyagama divisional secretariats and they will be grown in 102,000 acres in the Anuradhapura district. The firm plans to involve farmer families who have already been given state land grants in the areas.
