Four-point plan to revive tea industry

The Government yesterday announced measures to protect the tea industries until the crop fetches an adequate price to sustain itself.

In this regard it has decided to implement a four-point plan which includes the setting up of a Task Force to revive the tea industry and an appropriate application of the fertiliser to the tea industry.

Stringent measures to prevent the sale of tea dust a fund aimed at stabilising the tea industry are the other measures.

A Government media release states:

The Government interviews to protect the tea industry until tea fetches an adequate price to enable it to thrive as a profitable venture.

At a special meeting presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa it was decided to extend the fertiliser subsidy to tea industry as well and to make available a kind of fertiliser suitable for tea on an affordable price. It was also decided that the Plantation Industries Minister together with Tea Board appoint a Task Force comprising all parties concerned.

Tea smallholders, representatives from private tea factories, tea researchers and representatives of Estate Unions were present at the meeting.

The demand for tea too has dwindled due to the current economic melt down, resulting in inconvenience being caused to tea smallholders, factory owners, brokers, entrepreneurs, workers etc. it was revealed.

President Rajapaksa directed strong measures to be taken against the sale of tea dust as it affects Sri Lankan's tea industry both internally and externally. He instructed all government officials to go to the field and do the needful. Failure to do so would result in strong measures being taken against them, the President stressed.

The provision of a grace period of bank loans given for the tea industry and the substitution of local tea for imports and re-exports were also explored at the discussion.

The President underscored the need to further strengthen the Tea Stabilisation Fund and to introduce new legislation on the tea transport.

Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Arumugam Thondaman, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Finance Ministry Secretary, Sumith Abeysinghe, Plantation Industries Ministry Secretary, Indrani Sughathadasa, Presidential Addl. Secretary, Gamini Senarath and Presidential Coordinating Secretary, Sajith Vaas Gunawardena were also present.