The Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide lands on long-term lease basis to Aura Lanka Herbals Limited to implement a Herbal Medicine Products Project which will use the Aloe Vera plant for export.
The project titled ‘Dry Zone Rural Economic Development Aloe Vera Project’ will see the company operating a Herbal Medicine manufacturing industry using the Aloe Vera plant for export under the organic farming system in the Anuradhapura District.
Under this project, Aloe Vera roots, tubers, gel and external parts of leaves are expected to be used to make high-energy drinks, pills, ointments, inhalers and hair oils.
The total investment of the project is US$ 783 million and the investor has planned to invest US$ 300 million as the capital investment.
It is expected to set up nurseries for the production of Aloe Vera seedlings in 2000 acres in the Rajanganaya and Nochchiyagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions and 102,000 acres in the Anuradhapura District. The lands will be used for the cultivation of Aloe Vera using the plants produced by those nurseries under the said project.
It is proposed to involve families who own land on grants and licenses and also families that enjoy Government lands for cultivation under the project.
Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the resolution tabled by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Lands to provide nearly 66 acres of land to the company on long-term lease basis for 30 years as per the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance.
Approval has also been granted to construct and maintain the factory and operating office premises, and also the storage and operational purposes of the project. (NewsWire)