Botanical gardens generate Rs. 311.4 m up to 30 November

Botanical gardens generated revenue of Rs. 229.5 million from foreign visitors, Rs. 67.7 million from local visitors and Rs. 14.2 million in other revenue up to end November 2011.

Average income per month amounted to Rs. 28 m, while the set target is Rs. 30 m per month – an achievement of 93% of the target.

“This is an 88.5% increase of revenue compared to the previous year for the similar period,” said Department of Botanical Gardens Director General Dr. Siril Wijesundara.

In November, a total of 1,908,060 people (1,694,088 local visitors and 213,972 foreigners) visited the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, Haggala and Gampaha up to 30 November and a 7.8% increase of visitors was recorded in comparison to the period in the previous year.

The number of foreign visitors to botanical gardens up to 30 November shows a 12.6% increase over the earlier year (189,945), while the number of local visitors shows a 7.2% increase over the earlier year (1,579,764) for the period.

Under the instructions of Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, several modifications have been carried out in botanical gardens over the course of 2011.

 







Construction of a dormitory, installation of a drinking water scheme, entrance complex along with a ticket counter and four summer houses, construction of bachelor quarters and curb laying for internal roads are being carried out to enhance the landscape features of the gardens constructed in Mirijjawila New Botanical Garden.

An entrance complex and car park, footpaths and establishing the arboretum is being carried out at the Awissawella Botanical Garden. A modern toilet complex, internal road network, new souvenir shop and ticket counter with a modern look are being constructed at the Peradeniya Botanical Garden.

Meanwhile, a project on floriculture promotion was initiated to promote cultivation of cut greens, ornamental plants and anthuriums in Colombo, Gampaha and Kegalle Districts. A total of 325 potential growers were selected for the project and technical assistance, planting material, shade netting and necessary plants were provided for growers. A monitoring plan was prepared to ensure the sustainability of the programme.