Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday said that the Government has allocated Rs.517 million to develop five botanical gardens including Peradeniya, Gampaha, Haggala, Seethawaka and Mirijjavila next year.
The Government has allocated Rs. 177.1 million to develop Peradeniya, Rs. 60.5 million for Gampaha, Rs. 63.5 million for Huggala, Rs. 25.58 for Seethawaka and Rs. 24.2 million for Mirijjawila botanical garden development. Rs. 47 million has been allocated to facilitate 500 horticulture farmers.
Funds have also been allocated to develop the Meegalewa Harithapiyasa Training Centre and for conducting research. The Minister said the Government will take steps to develop the botanical gardens to popularise biodiversity and floriculture in Sri Lanka among tourists.