Debate proposed on tea, rubber prices

Uditha Kumarasinghe Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Minister of Plantation Industries D.M. Jayaratne yesterday requested Parliament for a day’s debate to explain the decline in tea and rubber prices.

The Minister made this request as a response to the special statement made by JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath in respect of tea and rubber prices. The Minister also stated that if he received the special statement beforehand he could have answered in detail with all statistics.

As he did not receive the special statement beforehand he could state that the Sri Lankan economy is also affected by the world economic crisis.

Minister Jayaratne reminded that a kilo of tea and rubber increased to Rs. 62 and Rs. 400 respectively.

It is very pathetic that members of the Opposition who are not aware of these facts are taking like babies, the Minister said. If this world economic crisis prevails it will affect not only the prices of tea, rubber and coconut but the price of your span cloth as well”.

At this stage pandemonium erupted in the House as several Opposition members and Ministers gave voice to their ideas.

Drop in prices caused by world market conditions - Minister

Samanmalee Priyashanthi

COLOMBO: The drop in tea, rubber and coconut prices is only a temporary phenomenon caused by world market conditions, said Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne addressing a news briefing at the Government Information Department.

He said whilst remedial action is being taken to resolve the crisis every effort would be made to maintain the stability of prices of main export crops which have contributed to the country’s economic development in great measure.

“The highest export revenue from tea, rubber, coconut has been realised this year, with tea earnings amounting to Rs. 112 billion, coconut Rs 24 billion and rubber Rs. 69 billion respectively, the Minister said.

When the conditions in the world market return to normal the situation would change. We have formulated an all time comprehensive plan for the three major exports to weather the economic conditions.

Plans are afoot to cultivate 5000 hectares with rubber in the Badulla and Anuradhapura Districts. A subsidy of Rs. 200,000 would also be paid for hectare of new tea planting, the Minister said.