A program is being set up to improve financial and marketing facilities for floriculturists throughout the island. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga says that the Department of National Botanic Gardens will implement this program as per his instructions.

Under this, it is expected to organize the growers engaged in floriculture in order to provide technical knowledge, high quality planting material, high quality imported flower plants and infrastructure facilities and to establish market links for floriculturists. In addition, training programs are expected to be implemented to empower floriculturists by enhancing their knowledge and skills in floriculture.

The Minister said that discussions have been initiated with the floriculturists in this regard and it is expected to identify their needs and implement the programs accordingly and to set up and upgrade flower and plant stalls in all the botanical gardens.

The Minister said that the government has allocated Rs. 575.48 million for the development of infrastructure facilities for local and foreign tourists at the Botanic Gardens this year, Accordingly, these provisions have been allocated for the development of access roads to the Botanic Gardens, drinking water facilities for visitors, new restaurants, the use of battery operated cars for the convenience of visitors to the gardens, as well as programs to improve the knowledge of plants among the general public.

During the first quarter of this year, 185,864 local tourists visited the Peradeniya, Haggala, Gampaha, Mirijjawila, Avissawella and Ganewatta Botanic Gardens. The Minister also stated that 1,104 foreign tourists have also arrived in the gardens.