Construction of the first cold storage complex to store agriculture produce preventing post-harvest losses will be commenced in Dambulla on March 30th, under the patronage of Non-cabinet Minister of Economic Reform and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva.

The Minister will lay the foundation tomorrow to build the 5000-ton temperature and humidity controlled warehouse complex in the premises of the Dambulla Economic Center for storing vegetables, fruits and other perishables to minimize its post-harvest losses.

The project is implemented by the Ministry of Economic Reform and Public Distribution with a Rs.300 million (€1.53 mln) grant from India.

The main purpose of the temperature controlled warehouse is to store the vegetables and fruits harvest that are brought to the Dambulla Economic Center without letting the surplus to go to waste. The perishable produce that are not sold is usually discarded and post-harvest losses presently are around 40 percent.

The Minister has claimed that due to lack of storage facilities post-harvest losses in Sri Lanka is high, which affect the farmers as well as the consumers. He says the project, named as Prabashwara will transform farmers lives through innovation.

This cold storage complex is the largest proposed cold storage site and it is reported that it will be constructed in an area of 2.8 hectares adjacent to the Dambulla Economic Center.