Recognising Northern coconut triangle as a key step in Sri Lanka’s socio-economic growth trajectory

As Sri Lanka marks World Coconut Day today (September 2), we also mark the beginning of a new chapter for one of our most important crops.

- By THE CEYLON CHAMBER OF COCONUT INDUSTRIES

The launch of the Northern coconut triangle under the ‘Kapruka Saviya’ programme, initiated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake , is a step towards unlocking the full potential of the coconut industry and uplifting rural livelihoods in the northern province of Sri Lanka.

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) recognises this initiative as a landmark development for the sector and the communities it supports.

The coconut has long been called Sri Lanka’s “tree of life” It feeds our families, sustains rural communities, and supports a wide range of industries from food to fiber.

Yet, the demands of global markets and the realities of climate and economic change mean the industry must evolve. The Northern coconut triangle represents that shift moving beyond tradition into a future of scale, innovation, and inclusion.

Replanting prosperity

Over the next few years, Sri Lanka will bring tens of thousands of new hectares into coconut cultivation, especially across Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar. This expansion is not just about land; it is about strengthening farmer communities, raising awareness, and creating pathways for rural entrepreneurship.

Several key interventions will drive this transformation: