The solar tunnel dryer developed by University of Hohenheim was studied under local environmental conditions in Sri Lanka to identify necessary improvements so that   marketable dehydrated products could be produced. Batch trials were carried using   jak fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and brinjal (Solanum melongena). Temperature, relative humidity and air flow rate during the trial period were recorded. Drying duration, physico-chemical and orgonoleptic parameters of the dehydrated products were determined. The dryer was found to be technically feasible and products are hygienically good compared to the open sun drying. Depending on bad weather conditions drying duration varied between 2- 3 days causing to produce organoleptically unacceptable dehydrated products.  The reasons identified for unacceptable quality were the long dying periods and keeping the materials inside the drying compartment overnight without drying. Therefore, there is a necessity to shorten the drying period together with maintenance of a correct temperature inside the drying compartment during non solar hours to preserve the quality of dried products.

Sri Lanka showed proven history of conserving richly endowed habitable natural capital that offers many eco-system services and essential launching pad for fast –track growth. This endowment could bring in desired economic and ecological improvements to living standards and for the well- being of future generations by sensibly put into sustainable use. Under the present development activities, country is facing major challenges of increasing severe climate change impacts, energy insecurity and ecological scarcity. Thus, present use of natural capital, carbon sequestration cyclic activities and forest enterprise are not fulfilling the conditions necessary for sustainability. International initiatives that have been taken and entry points for sustainable forest management and establishing of modern forest technologies are briefly discussed in this position paper to scope expansion of forestry enterprise development strategies. Thus, right policies for setting up right institutions of “Forest Development Authority” and “Forest Exchange System” and inter institutional set up of “Modern Forest Technology” for action in plan is justified.