Palmyrah Development Board which originally came under the ministry of Plantation was constituted by Gazette notification of 18 August 1978 published in terms of Amendments no 24 of 1975, to the Sri Lanka Coconut Development Act no 46 of 1971 to carry out all functions in relation to Palmyrah plantations. Subsequently, PDB came under the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development by Gazette notification in 2010. Since 2024, PDB was assigned under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure by Gazette notification in 2024.

For the purpose of undertaking research activities relating to the palmyrah products, the Palmyrah Research Institute was established. Palmyrah Research Institute was formally opened on 20 th of July 2012 with the help of Sri Lankan government. The Indian government provided the essential equipment, chemicals and other necessities. It has expanded its functions towards modernizing its research activities, in order to enhance the livelihood of thousands of families in the North, who are dependent on the Palmyrah industry. The institute is now comprised of five laboratories namely Analytical laboratory, Food &Technology laboratory, Microbiological laboratory, Bio chemistry Laboratory and Hi – Tech laboratory. PRI is involved in a range of activities namely research and exchange activities, rendering laboratory services and publication and dissemination of research findings. The institute has taken its final steps in obtaining the ISO accreditation so that the test reports supplied by the laboratory will be valid internationally.