The Ministry of Plantation and Group Infrastructure has reportedly acquired Cupboard directions to formulate a standards required to elevate the ban at the moment imposed on oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka.
In April 2021, Sri Lanka on Monday banned imports of palm oil and new palm plantations, and informed producers to uproot present plantations in a phased method, amid sturdy opposition over its potential influence on the nation’s ecosystems.
With a proposal now being put ahead to develop cultivation as soon as once more, the controversy over potential environmental injury has additionally returned to the forefront.
Beforehand, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) had imposed strict restrictions on cultivation following a examine performed by a panel of consultants.
At current, oil palm is cultivated in practically 9,500 hectares of land within the nation, whereas plantation corporations have submitted requests to the federal government to additional develop cultivation.
Accordingly, an skilled committee appointed by the Ministry of Plantation and Group Infrastructure has reportedly made suggestions to allow oil palm cultivation on as much as 20,000 hectares.
Water sources depleted
One of many primary environmental considerations related to oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka is intensive water consumption.
A analysis examine performed within the Nakiyadeniya and Sapumalkanda estates within the Galle District of Sri Lanka’s low-country moist zone discovered {that a} single oil palm tree consumes considerably extra water per day than a rubber tree.
In keeping with the examine, a single oil palm tree on the Nakiyadeniya Property used round 239.49 litres of water per day, whereas the every day water consumption of a rubber tree was round 42.17 litres.
At Sapumalkanda, the respective figures had been 277.94 litres and 53.07 litres.
Nonetheless, the researchers have identified that the examine was performed over a brief interval and, subsequently, these figures can’t be instantly utilized to all cultivation areas within the nation.
One other Sri Lankan examine scientifically assessed the problem after complaints had been acquired from residents concerning groundwater ranges and the depth of wells in areas surrounding oil palm plantations.
The examine in contrast water situations in areas below oil palm and rubber cultivation with these in pure forest areas.
Affect on soil
A Sri Lankan examine revealed in 2024 in contrast round 12-year-old oil palm and rubber plantations.
It discovered that the quantity of natural carbon within the topsoil of oil palm plantations was round 40% decrease than that of rubber cultivation.
The researchers additionally famous that water loss from the soil was quicker in oil palm plantations throughout dry durations.
Environmental considerations emerge in Kalutara and Galle
Oil palm cultivation in Sri Lanka is principally related to areas resembling Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura and Kegalle within the low-country moist zone.
A examine performed in 2024 on an oil palm plantation within the Neboda space of Kalutara recognized vital variations in soil pH, electrical conductivity, natural matter content material, nitrogen content material and different properties between the cultivated land and a close-by comparability website.
The researchers emphasised that sustainable soil administration in oil palm plantations is crucial.
Earlier environmental research in Sri Lanka have additionally highlighted that increasing cultivation, notably on hilly or sloping lands, may result in points resembling soil erosion, the entry of agrochemicals into water, and impacts on the standard of water sources.
Affect on biodiversity
One other main debate surrounding oil palm cultivation considerations its potential influence on pure ecosystems and biodiversity.
Environmentalists level out that increasing cultivation, notably round forest boundaries, riverbanks, catchment areas and different delicate ecosystems, may have an effect on pure habitats.
Environmental activists have additionally beforehand alleged that oil palm has unfold naturally in sure areas, together with areas surrounding the ‘Kalu’ river.
Palm oil imports rise regardless of ban
In the meantime, Sri Lanka’s demand for palm oil has not declined regardless of the ban on oil palm cultivation.
Sri Lanka imported 38,210 metric tonnes of palm oil in 2025, whereas coconut oil imports amounted to 33,696 metric tonnes throughout the identical 12 months.
Wayamba College educational and former Rubber Analysis Institute Director has identified that greater than Rs. 140 billion was spent on palm oil imports in 2025.
These supporting the enlargement of oil palm cultivation argue that producing palm oil regionally may assist save a minimum of a part of the expenditure on such imports.
Authorized instances nonetheless pending
In the meantime, additionally it is learnt that plantation corporations have initiated a number of authorized proceedings difficult the choice to ban oil palm cultivation in 2021.
The Ministry of Plantation and Group Infrastructure is at the moment acquiring recommendation from the Lawyer Common’s Division concerning the related instances, in response to sources.
Upon inquiring, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne stated that it has been deliberate to allow an enlargement of oil palm cultivation as much as 20,000 hectares after resolving the related authorized proceedings and a number of other technical issues referring to the cultivation.
Nonetheless, a key query stays as to what standards can be imposed when choosing new cultivation areas, notably concerning catchment areas, rivers and waterways, forest boundaries, areas of excessive biodiversity and sloping lands.
Subsequently, environmental and financial consultants are of the view that lifting the oil palm cultivation ban is not going to merely be an financial choice aimed toward decreasing palm oil imports, however a nationwide coverage choice linked to water sources, soil, biodiversity and long-term environmental safety.
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