The shortage of coconuts in the island country of Sri Lanka upset minister Arundika Fernando so much that he climbed a coconut tree to prove his point during a press conference on September 18.
The politician climbed a coconut tree at his estate in the town of Dankotuwa. Fernando, who is the State Minister of Coconut, Kithul, Palmyrah, and Rubber Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversification was seen climbing the tree using a new kind of gear introduced by a local inventor from the region of Warakapola, local media reported.
“We hope to utilise every available plot of land for the cultivation of coconuts and boost the industry to one which would generate foreign exchange to the country,” it was quoted the minister as saying.
Speaking to media personnel from the top of the tree, he said the price of coconuts has increased due to the demand for coconut-related products worldwide. Although there is a sharp decline in the number of employees to pick coconuts, the minister vowed not to import the fruit despite an increase in price.
