The Plant Quarantine Service, previously confined to Colombo, has now expanded its reach with the opening of three new regional centers in Jaffna, Kandy, and Galle, in addition to the existing office at the Colombo Central Post Office. This move comes in response to complaints from residents of other provinces, who faced inconvenience and incurred significant expenses traveling to Colombo for quarantine services, particularly for sending plants and plant-related products abroad via postal services. Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera inaugurated the fourth regional office at the Galle Post Office premises, aiming to provide easier access to plant quarantine services, especially in the Southern Province.
Minister Amaraweera highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing longstanding challenges, emphasizing President Wickremesinghe’s directive to establish regional offices within a short timeframe to alleviate the burden on residents outside Colombo. He underscored the nation’s progress in various sectors over the years, citing infrastructure development, agriculture, education, and health, while acknowledging recent economic challenges. Despite past difficulties, he noted significant improvements, including increased foreign reserves, stabilizing currency rates, and revitalized tourism, attributing these achievements to effective governance and concerted efforts to overcome obstacles.