More Treasury funds for tea

The Treasury has agreed to release Rs. 426 million for the sustainable development of the tea industry. Out of these funds, Rs.158 million has been allocated as recurrent expenditure and Rs 268 million as capital expenditure, General Manager Tea Smallholder Development Authority S.D. Nanadasena said.

A sum of Rs. 186 million is reserved for replanting. The Authority will assist planning and strategies to enhance tea production. Nanadasena said Tea smallholders who contribute 72 per cent are eligible to receive benefits.

Minister of Plantation Industries D.M. Jayaratne has directed that the funds collected by way of Cess should be used for tea plantation development.