Export of tea, rubber and coconut continue uninterrupted

Ceylon Tea Traders’ Association decides to hold regular tea auctions via online process during curfew and on Poya days   

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

At the last Colombo tea auction held on Tuesday (07) there was a heavy demand for ‘Ceylon Black Tea’ and a good price of over Rs. 700 per kilogram, plantation Industries and Agricultural Exports Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.   

Minister Pathirana told Daily Mirror yesterday that the government had not imposed any restriction for export crops of tea, rubber and coconut and added export of three traditional plantation crops and their allied products continue to be exported uninterrupted.   

He said that due to the freedom granted to enable the smooth operations of the tea industry, the Ceylon Tea Traders’ Association for the first time in 137 years, had taken a decision to hold the regular tea auctions via an online process known as the ‘e-auction’ even during the curfew and on Poya days. . 

 
 “The claim by the Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, who raised the first alarm on the possibility of an epidemic of corona viral infection in Wuhan, in Hubei Province in China in late last year – and died of COVID 19 infection later - claimed that drinking black tea could decrease the impact of the virus by the substances known as methylxanthines found in tea. I believe that this claim may have contributed to the high demand for our black tea and good price at the tea auctions,” Minister Pathirana said.   

The rubber industry has also got a boost with the increased demand for surgical gloves and rubber producing factories have been instructed to continue their production.   

Coconut and cinnamon also get a good price but Minister Pathirana lamented that he had information that in some cases coconuts are sold at exorbitant prices.   

“The Coconut Cultivation Board sells a coconut at Rs. 50. It is wrong if anyone attempts to get an unfair profit by selling coconuts at high prices using the current situation in the country for their advantage,” Minister Pathirana stressed.   

The government took the decision to continue plantation crop exports uninterrupted, to ensure that those engaged in these export industries over a long period of time weathering numerous challenges are not faced with economic difficulties. Accordingly, all operations related to these crops from the harvesting stage to transport, export and auction processes will continue without any hindrance even during the curfew. Further, sugarcane, cashew and other minor export crop farmers have been exempted from any restrictions and the Plantation Ministry Secretary has issued necessary guidelines ensuring they have the freedom to engage in their cultivations, the Minister said.   
The Defense Ministry Secretary, Health Ministry Secretary, Police, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Customs, Commerce Department and several other ministries had requested the Finance Ministry Secretary to provide the required infrastructure facilities to ensure smooth operation of export crops.   
Minister Pathirana also pointed out that while those engaged in the plantation industry are allowed to carry on their operations, they should adhere to the guidelines set by the Health Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Police.