July 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka government has taken steps to revive the defunct Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithady, Jaffna, says Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Douglas Devananda.

Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithady, Jaffna has been defunct since 1995 as a result of the conflict in the Northern Province.

The project to restore the war-torn facility was an initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of the post-war development in the region.

The government has invested Rs 45 million for the construction of the building and India has provided Rs 70 million for installing modern industrial equipment in the facility.

The Palmyrah Research Institute is expected to develop new Palmyrah based products and value added products such as Palmyrah pulp, jaggery, vinegar, and charcoal.

Palmyrah is considered a tree that is bound to the culture of the Tamil people of Jaffna and the palm provides a number of uses as food, beverage and timber.