Novice ministers pledge to uplift plantation industry

State Minister for Tea Industry Development Kanchana Wijesekera assuming duties at the Ministry of Plantation Industries yesterday 

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by P.D. De Silva

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have made a bold decision by entrusting the responsibilities of managing the plantation industry to three law makers who have never held a ministerial portfolio before. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was appointed Cabinet Minister of Plantation Industries while Chanaka Dikkumbura and Kanchana Wijesekera were appointed State Ministers. 

Speaking at the occasion yesterday, when State Minister of Tea Industry Development Kanchana Wijesekera assumed duties, Minister of Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana pledged that he, together with his two State Ministers Chanaka Dikkumbura and Kanchana Wijesekera, would do their utmost in the next few months to uplift the plantation industry and make the Government’s promise of a prosperous nation a reality.

State Minister of Tea Industry Development Kanchana Wijesekera, who was appointed a Member of Parliament from the Matara District in 2015, thanked the President and Prime Minister for placing their trust in him and giving him the opportunity to contribute towards fulfilling the Government›s vision of prosperity.

Wijesekera said that he was entrusted with responsibilities at a time when the tea industry is facing a crisis effecting all stakeholders, with over 200 tea factories having been forced to close. He said that one of his first priorities would be to re-establish the lost status of ‹Ceylon Tea›.

He also said that the Cabinet decision to reduce taxes was the foundation for rapid growth in the economy and will have a positive impact on the agricultural and plantation sectors as well.

Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Dullas Alahapperuma, State Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Kanaka Herath, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries Ravindra Hewavitharana, members of the clergy and other well-wishers were also present at this occasion.