Tea industry to receive spotlight under govt.’s agriculture modernisation programme

Ranil Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe called on for improved and productive efforts to revive the country’s tea industry, as it is fast losing its position to competition.

Pointing out that Ceylon Tea is a key sector from which foreign exchange generation is expected, Wickremesinghe called on the stakeholders to boost efforts in improving and maintaining the quality of the product.

He assured that the relevant authorities and ministries are exploring the avenues to help uplift the sector that is witnessing a dip in performance.

“We have a very competitive tea industry that we have to develop. And I think we have to go for quality tea, whether it be high-grown or mid-grown. It is useless for us to keep competing with those who are not having the quality.

We have an opportunity. Let’s go for it and develop the industry, modernise our factories and look at renewable energy, biomass and all that is there,” said Wickremesinghe.

He made these comments while addressing the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association in Colombo this week. Wickremesinghe went on to share that the government is in the midst of looking at an agriculture modernisation programme, in which the tea sector would receive much emphasis. The government is of the view that helping the tea industry will help fetch the needed forex and also help boost rubber and overall agriculture production.

He noted that Sri Lanka would come through next year with agriculture production.

Further, not mincing his words, Wickremesinghe lambasted the tea factories that have been showing poor productivity and performance.

“Some of you are doing quite well. Others are a disgrace. So, let’s see how we can restructure, how we can get your help and go ahead,”
 he said.

“I haven’t got the best picture possible but at least I am trying to take the Titanic off the iceberg and once we do that, we’ll go ahead,” added Wickremesinghe.