Rubber cultivation started in 1876, with the planting of 1,919 rubber seedling at the Henerthgoda botanical garden in Gampaha. It is botanically known as “Hevea brasiliensis”. The rubber industry links the traditional tree crop agriculture with sophisticated industrial manufacturing in a strongly interdependent manner that has made both the sectors more stable and competitive in the global market place. The country’s traditional rubber growing districts include Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Mathale, Galle, Matara, Kurunegala, Rathnapura and Kegalle.
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