Tea smallholders are the industry’s lifeline: Basil
Monday, 2 September 2013 00:00
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Tea smallholders have become the lifeline of Sri Lanka’s tea industry, according to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
He said this when he opened the modernised the Willis Group tea factory at the premises of Andaradeniya Ltd. in the Deniyaya Electorate, Matara District. It was built under the leadership of W. Jinadasa
Minister Rajapaksa further said that the Government has helped to develop the tea smallholdings by giving smallholders fertiliser subsidies in the same way paddy farmers were given subsidies.
He however pointed out that the tea industry had to overcome several more challenges in order to improve efficiency and increase productivity. The Minister also stressed the need for cooperative effort in the tea industry and it to have a strong leadership without which the industry is bound to collapse.
He appreciated the steps to taken to modernise the factory and resume productivity which is a major boost not only for tea small holders but also the country’s economy. The factory owner had maintained and run all businesses under strict discipline and helped to improve the financial status and livelihood of tea small holders, owners of large tea plantations and those transporting tea.
“Today many are employed in tea factories according to a single program, thus making it possible to achieve good results,” the Minister further observed.
“Such efforts helped to revive businesses that ran at a loss and to make them profitable. The Government wishes to thank all those who contributed to make these enterprises a success,” he added.
Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage, Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Public Administration Deputy Minister Wije Dahanayake, UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilleke, former UNP MP Sagala Ratnayake, Tea Factory owner W. Jinadasa, Provincial Councillor Manoj Sirisena and Bank of Ceylon General Manager D.M. Gunasekera were among the large crowd present.
