The rubber cultivators said that they are facing severe difficulties since the purchase of rubber products has been suspended in many areas.

The rubber cultivators in Kalutara and other districts where rubber is grown in abundance are the most affected.

They pointed out that rubber prices have also decreased rapidly.

Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka Madhava Warnakulasuriya said that several reasons have led to the decrease in the demand for rubber.

He said the cultivators have not been able to sell more than 150 metric tons of rubber and added a special programme is being prepared to buy rubber from the cultivators.