August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has emphasised the importance of promoting Wallapatta cultivation, recognising its significant potential to generate foreign exchange for Sri Lanka.
This issue was raised during a recent discussion with the Department of Forest Conservation. Committee Chair Lasantha Alagiyawanna instructed officials to focus on Wallapatta due to its economic benefits.
Forest Department officials confirmed that cultivating Wallapatta is legal, but cutting and transporting the plants from forests without permits is prohibited.
They noted that the cultivation of Aquilaria, an imported plant with similar characteristics, has commenced in Sri Lanka.
Distinguishing between Wallapatta and Aquilaria is challenging, leading smugglers to falsely market forest-sourced Wallapatta as plantation-grown.
The officials assured the Committee of plans to develop a scientific method to differentiate the two plants.
