The Agriculture Research Station, Girandurukotte, established in 1980 by the Mahawali authority of Sri Lanka, is responsible for research and development activities in agriculture, and in particular for addressing the field problems pertaining to crop production of the farming community in Mahaweli system "C". This Station was handed over to the DOA in 1984. It functioned under the administrative control FCRDI until year 2000, when the station was affiliated to the HORDI Gannoruwa. The station focused on research and development activities to improve the productivity of vegetables, fruits and root and tuber crops. Recently the ARS was given the responsibility of implementing important activities under the rice research and development programme and later on they were extended to produce hybrid seed paddy as well. Nearly an extent of 5 ha is being cultivated under the hybrid seed production programme alone. In addition to the research and production programme the ARS serves farming community in Mahaweli system "c" by conducting regular training programmes for officers, farmers, school children and personnel of other Organizations.