Welcome to Palmyrah Research Institute of Sri Lanka

Upgrading the Livelihood of people involved in Traditional Palmyrah favored Industries.

HISTORY

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.

MISSION

”Enhancing the practice of research for the innovative technology transfer to develop, promote, popularize and regulate sustainability of Palmyrah industry to be a significant contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sri Lanka”

VISION

”Achieve excellence in the Palmyrah research for enhancing sector contribution to national economic development of Sri Lanka.”

MAIN OBJECTIVES

  • Maintenance and improvement of the quality and standards of Palmyrah based products through Palmyrah products producers.
  • Enhancing the promotion and direction of the Palmyrah research institute activities.
  • The conducting and furthering of scientific research in connection with the processing and utilization of palmyrah products.
  • The Introduction of new techniques in the processing of Palmyrah products.
  • Strengthening the Palmyrah Research institute by collaborating with the research institutes of Sri Lanka and international research institute and the universities of Sri Lanka like Wayamba University, Uvawellassa university, Sabaragamuwa University, Peradeniya University and Jaffna University.
  • Providing data or facts based on researches to Palmyrah stakeholders in order to increase the utility of Palmyrah palm.
  • Handling research to increase the resources relating to the growth and cultivation of crops and predicting the results.
  • Enhancing research activities by the consultation of experts in various scientific field.
  • Activities of Palmyrah Research Institute and Laboratories.

SERVICES

  1. Research and development for social economic development
  2. Laboratory services
  3. Technical guidance / Advisory services for quality production
  4. Providing guidance and supervision in the final year research projects of students from national and international Universities with reference to their partial fulfilment of undergraduate/ postgraduate degree
  5. Dissemination of research outputs via publications, trainings, exhibitions, workshops, etc.
  6. Providing on the job / vocational/ industrial training to HND students
  7. Establishing and maintaining institutional collaborations with national organizations (SLAB, ITI, CRI, German Tech, VTA, national Universities, etc.) and international organizations (PTB, international Universities, FAPAS, etc)
  8. Providing training on field days, conducting seminars and doing  field demonstrations
No Name Qualifications Designation Email Research gate/ Google Scholar
1 Dr. B. Anuluxshy
Dr. B. Anuluxshy
Ph.D in Applied Science
M.Sc in Food Safety and Quality Management
PGDip in Education, B.Sc in Biological Science
Research Manager (Acting), Palmyrah Research Institute anu2november@gmail.com (2) Anuluxshy Balasubramaniyam
2 Mrs. J. Mary
Mrs. J. Mary
B.Sc Special in Chemistry Research Officer, In-charge of Analytical Laboratory mary.thevy@yahoo.com (2) Shanmugam Mary
3 Mrs. M. Subajini
Mrs. M. Subajini
M.Phil in Bio Chemistry
B.Sc Special in Botany
Research Officer, In-charge of Bio Chemistry Laboratory jsubajini@gmail.com (2) Subajini Mahilrajan
4 Ms. T. Suganja
Ms. T. Suganja
M.Sc in Food Science and Technology
B.Sc in Food Production and Technology Management
Research Assistant, Analytical Laboratory suganja.t@yahoo.com / tnsuganya@gmail.com (2) Suganja Thuraisingam
5 Ms.A.Kirushanthi
Ms.A.Kirushanthi
M.Phil in Applied Sciences
B.Tech in Science & Technology
Research Officer (Acting), In-charge of Hi-Tech Laboratory kirushvel23@gmail.com (2) Kirushanthi Thangavel
6 M. Mahilini
M. Mahilini
B.Sc(Hon) in Food Production and Technology Management Research Assistant, Microbiology Laboratory
7 Mr. V. Samsan Kapil
Mr. V. Samsan Kapil
B.Sc in Food Quality Management (Reading)
Higher National Diploma in Food Technology
Laboratory Assistant, Food Technology Laboratory samsankapil@gmail.com
9
Mrs. V. Gnanasharmala
B.Sc in Mathematics Production Assistant sharmala1986@gmail.com
10
Mr. P. Kajan
National Certificate in Technology (Civil Engineering) Technical Assistant pkajan89@gmail.com
11 Mr. T. Maheshwaran Technical Assistant
12 Mrs. R. Ajantha HND in Computing (Software Development)
NVQ Level 5 in Vocational and Technical Training Delivery
Management Assistant palmyrahresearch@yahoo.com
13 Mrs. T. Malini
Mrs. T. Malini
Management Assistant
14 Mr. S. Pakeerathan
Mr. S. Pakeerathan
Office Aid
15 Mr. Jeysteepan Office Aid
16 Mr.N. Ratheepan Driver
17 Mr. Vaseegaran Driver
Palmyrah Research Institute
Kandy Road, Kaithady, Jaffna.
Sri Lanka.
☏ +94 21 205 7065
Fax: +94 21 2057066