Malaysia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Badli Hisham Adam, has advocated for palm oil cultivation in Sri Lanka, believing it could combat poverty and serve as a profitable venture for farmers. He highlighted the country's favorable climate and water availability, contrasting it with countries like Kazakhstan where palm oil cultivation faces challenges. Adam stressed the importance of knowledge and management in oil palm farming, citing examples of successful women-led plantations in Papua New Guinea. However, he also acknowledged the challenges the industry faces, such as bans and allegations of unsustainable practices, referencing the US and EU's actions against palm oil. Despite these setbacks, the Sri Lanka Palm Oil Association's president remains hopeful that the ban in Sri Lanka will be lifted.