Sri Lanka, Sept. 1 -- The Government has launched a national programme to establish 250 'Ceylon King Coconut Villages', Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna said at a media briefing at the Government Information Department yesterday (31).

The launch, aimed at boosting the coconut industry, comes ahead of World Coconut Day, observed annually on September 2.

The Minister said the project, implemented with both government and private sector involvement, follows the earlier 500 Tea Villages initiative and aims to boost export earnings, generate employment, and reduce poverty.

As the first phase, 75 villages will be opened this year, with 80 more by 2027 and the remaining 90 by 2028. The first village will b...