Starting today, Lanka Sathosa will sell 200,000 coconuts daily through its outlets.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, Wasantha Samarasinghe, has announced that consumers in urban areas, including Colombo, can purchase coconuts at a subsidized price from Lanka Sathosa branches.

Currently, Lanka Sathosa sells approximately 100,000 coconuts daily, but this will be increased to 200,000 starting today.

The price of a coconut sold through Lanka Sathosa is Rs. 130.

Coconuts from government-owned plantations will be sold to consumers through Lanka Sathosa, in this manner.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne says that after the month of August, there is usually a reduction in coconut harvest. 

He added that the highest amount of harvest for coconuts is usually recorded in the months of May, June, March, and April. 

Karunaratne went on to note that Sri Lanka has failed to meet the coconut demand, which stands at about 3 billion. 

He added that the harvest, however, is about 2.4 billion-2.6 billion coconuts. 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne also said that measures are being taken to tackle this temporary coconut shortage. 

He said that accordingly, coconuts grown in government-owned plantations are being released to the market.