Trend in national rubber production is alarming By Emeritus Professor Asoka Nugawela FEATURE View(s): View(s):The national rubber production has declined from 98.6 to 69.2 thousand Metric tonnes(MT) from 2014 to 2024. Accordingly, natural rubber production and land extent have shown a negative growth of 7 per cent and 6.3 per cent per annum respectively during this 10-year period. It is also recorded that in 1970 Sri Lanka had produced 159.2 thousand MT of natural rubber. This article intends to identify and briefly discuss certain facts that may have contributed and also yet contributing to the decline in the natural rubber production in the country. These are major constraints for achieving high productivity levels in rubber established in the traditional rubber growing areas.

Source: Sunday Times January 04, 2026 17:02 UTC