Economy

Sri Lanka Secures $100 Million for Eco-Friendly Export Farming with Solar Pumps

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

Sri Lanka is set to receive a significant investment of $100 million aimed at modernizing agricultural practices over the next two decades, focusing on sustainable farming and exports, officials have announced.

Under the auspices of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office, the Climate Change Office of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Nativa Capital of Portugal, finalized the $100 million deal on Tuesday. The project will be centered in Sri Lanka’s North Central district of Anuradhapura, focusing on farming and forest protection initiatives.

As part of the project, each of the 15,000 farming families involved will receive a concessional loan totaling $6,000 throughout the project duration. This funding will support the cultivation of watermelon, red chilies, and tomatoes in the initial phase, alongside the implementation of solar pumps and other energy projects to promote sustainable agriculture.

Nativa Capital, the investment company involved, will also play a role in facilitating market procurement for these crops, with an eye toward future export opportunities and the establishment of factories within Sri Lanka.

Ruwan Wijewardene, the President’s Senior Advisor on Climate Change, emphasized the comprehensive benefits for farming families, stating, “Each family stands to benefit from an investment totaling approximately $6,000, covering not only modern technical equipment but also addressing longstanding market access challenges faced by farmers.”

Efforts have been made to tackle market access issues, with Nativa committing to purchasing produce from the project. The initiative is not limited to Anuradhapura; it will expand to encompass other crops and areas, including the Polonnaruwa district and the Eastern province in the future.

Wijewardene highlighted the broader objectives of the project, stating, “Upon the successful implementation of this pilot project, the government plans to extend modern agricultural technologies to other districts, foreseeing a transformation in the export economy and an enhancement in the quality of life for farmers.”

The project aims to foster economic prosperity while empowering farming communities with innovative technology and sustainable practices, creating employment opportunities, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.

Execution of the project will be overseen by Our Movement Lanka, a community-based organization, in collaboration with Nativa Capital and the Sri Lankan government. A pilot project involving fifteen families cultivating chili has already commenced, with plans underway for further expansion.”

However, officials have yet to provide projections regarding potential foreign exchange inflows despite repeated requests.

Related Topics:Agriculture Economy Farming Featured

Up Next

China to support digital classroom project in Sri Lanka

Don't Miss

Export income soars to USD 1,139 million in March 2024

Click to comment

Economy

Sri Lanka’s exports top US $ 9bn in first half

Published

2 days ago

July 23, 2026

admin

Sri Lanka’s export sector continued its strong upward trajectory during the first half of 2026, with the country’s total exports surpassing the significant US$9 billion milestone.

According to the latest figures, Sri Lanka’s combined merchandise and services exports reached an estimated US$9,012.24 million during the January to June 2026 period, recording an 8% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

Further analysis showed that cumulative merchandise export earnings for the first six months of the year amounted to US$7,073.31 million, representing an 8.95% year-on-year increase. The performance highlights steady growth across key export sectors and underscores the continued competitiveness of Sri Lankan products in international markets.

Meanwhile, the services export sector maintained its positive growth trend, generating an estimated US$1,938.94 million during the January-June 2026 period. This marked a 4.49% increase compared to the same period last year and further reinforced the sector’s growing contribution to Sri Lanka’s overall export earnings and external sector performance.

Provisional data released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimated export values for Gems and Jewellery as well as Petroleum Products, indicated that merchandise exports reached US$1,314.10 million in June 2026 alone. This represented a robust 15.09% increase compared to June 2025, demonstrating growing demand for Sri Lankan exports despite evolving global market conditions.

Economy

Cabinet approves purchase of 600 deluxe buses for SLTB

Published

5 days ago

July 21, 2026

admin

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to procure 600 new Deluxe‑model, air‑conditioned buses for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), replacing an earlier plan to purchase standard‑model vehicles.

The project, part of the government’s 2026 investment programme, carries a budgetary allocation of Rs. 14,400 million. Initially, the funds were earmarked for 49–54‑seater standard buses.

However, under the Road Safety Plan 2025–2026, authorities identified the need for safer and more comfortable vehicles for intercity and long‑distance services.

Accordingly, specifications prepared for passenger transport recommended the deployment of Deluxe‑model buses for these routes.

Acting on that guidance, the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development presented the revised proposal, which has now received Cabinet approval.

Economy

29 unused oil tanks in Trincomalee open for local, foreign investors

Published

5 days ago

July 21, 2026

admin

In a bid for the commercialisation of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL) is planning to go for international bidding for the development of 29 tanks out of 61 tanks in its possession.

A joint venture company, Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL), was created in 2021. In it, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation holds 51 per cent and Lanka IOC (a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation) holds 49 per cent. The agreement covers 61 tanks out of 99 for joint development. When Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka last year, a tripartite agreement was signed among India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop a multipurpose pipeline connecting the two countries for two-way energy supplies.

In the wake of the West Asian or Middle East crisis, Sri Lanka and India have recognised the need for the expeditious implementation of the Trincomalee petroleum hub project for energy security, but no specific timeline has been carved out yet.

An informed source said that the company would announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) within a month for the development of these tanks. The Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) has approved the project for inviting bids for investors to develop the project. Once the project is evaluated by the company, it will be referred back to the CANC to make the final decision.

Trincomalee has been identified as a nodal point of cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the field of energy security. The 1987 Indo–Sri Lanka Accord marked the first formal reference to Indian involvement in the development of the Trincomalee oil tank farm.