The Cabinet has approved the transfer of over 100,000 acres of government land in Anuradhapura to a private company on a long-term lease basis for an aloe vera pharmaceutical project targeting exports.
The statement issued by the Cabinet Secretariat in this regard is as follows.
Aura Lanka Herbals (Pvt) Ltd. has submitted a project proposal titled ‘Dry Zone Rural Economic Development Aloe Project’ to start a pharmaceutical manufacturing industry from the aloe plant for export under the organic farming system in the Anuradhapura District.
Under the project, aloe vera roots, tubers, gels and leaves are expected to be used to make high-energy beverages, pills, ointments, inhalers and head oils.
The total investment in the project is US $ 783 million and the investor plans to invest US $ 300 million as the initial investment.
Under this project, it is expected to set up plant nurseries for the production of aloe vera seedlings in 2000 acres in Rajanganaya and Nochchiyagama Divisional Secretariats and to use 102,000 acres in the Anuradhapura District to cultivate aloe vera using the seedlings produced by those nurseries.
It is proposed to involve families who own lands on grants and licenses and families who utilize government lands for cultivation. Accordingly, a joint proposal made by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Lands to provide nearly 66 acres of land to construct and maintain the factory and operating offices, storage and operations of the project, to the company on a long term lease basis for 30 years in accordance with the provisions of the State Land Ordinance. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet.