Marking the 150th anniversary of rubber cultivation in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Plantations convened key industry leaders in Kalutara to unveil the National Rubber Sector Roadmap (2026–2035). As Sri Lanka's historic rubber heartland, Kalutara will host pilot processing centers dedicated to value-added industrial exports, including specialized automotive components, medical-grade latex items, and eco-certified footwear soling. The national sector target aims to generate $1.1 billion in export earnings for 2026. The roadmap includes smallholder replanting subsidies, automated latex extraction equipment grants, and climate-resilient clone distribution across Agalawatta and Matugama estates.