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| Sunday, 6 April 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Rs. 200m to protect tea industry Colombo Lankapuvath - The Government has set aside 200 million rupees to protect the local tea industry threatened by the Iraq war. The funds will be used to grant relief to tea smallholders. More than 45 per cent of the tea produced in Sri Lanka is exported to the Middle East. Sri Lanka has not received fresh orders as the sea routes have been blocked due to the Iraqi crisis. It is reported that nearly 70 per cent of the tea offered at recently concluded tea auctions in Colombo remain unsold. The producers and exporters told Lankapuvath that the industry would be doomed if this situation continues. They pointed out that the Government should intervene to provide a solution to this crisis. Senior Vice Chairman Asia Siyaka Commodities Rohan Iddawala told Lankapuvath that it is the responsibility of the government to protect the tea industry and those engaged in it. He believed that in these circumstances, financial assistance would be granted to tea producers and factory owners. A special meeting was held at the Plantation Industries Ministry recently on finding a solution to the crisis. Measures aimed at finding alternative sea routes to ship teas were suggested at the meeting. Plantation Industries Minister Lakshman Kiriella said that the Government is already concerned about the crisis. Talks were held with all unions in the tea industry about a month ago. More attention will be paid to tea smallholders. A cabinet memorandum has been presented to apportion funds for tea smallholders. The Government has set part 200 million rupees for this purpose. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
