News
26 million kilo increase in tea output last year despite fertiliser crisis
The total output of tea plantations had increased in 2021, compared to 2020, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said at the opening of a multi-purpose building at the Batahena Dharmagaveshi Temple.
“Tea harvest in the year 2020 was 279 million kilos and it was 305 million kilos in 2021. We are also thinking about providing a subsidy for chemical fertilizers or to reduce the price of fertilizers within the next three months,” he said.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Tea Smallholdings Development Authority and the Tea Leaf and Agricultural Products Marketing Centre and the Green Tea Collection and Agricultural Product Marketing Centre at Opatha, Galle. The Tea Small Holdings Development Authority has spent Rs. 13.4 million on the project under the Star project, which will serve about 2,500 tea smallholders in the area.
“At present the prices of not only fertilisers but also fuel, milk powder, cement and food items in the world market have gone up. Transport costs have gone up. The world’s manufacturing economy has collapsed due to the spread of the coronavirus. Due to these problems the prices of goods in our country as well as in the world have gone up. No government in the world wants to increase commodity prices and make people queue up during its rule,” he said.
The Minister said that the ban on chemical fertilisers was well-intentioned, but some sectors, including the tea industry, found it difficult to manage without agro-chemicals. However, the government was bringing down chemical fertiliser.
“But a 50 kg bag of fertiliser costs Rs. 7,200. People cannot afford that price. Although relief cannot be given immediately, the government is taking steps to provide relief in a systematic manner. We will provide a subsidy for fertiliser within the next two to three months. We are also working to reduce fertiliser prices,” he said.
\Minister Pathirana said that the tea industry was showing signs of improvement. Tea production in 2020 was 279 million kg. But despite the fertilizer crisis, the sector produced 305 million kilos of tea last year, he said.
“The government will implement several programs in the future to promote tea cultivation. However, the people are not aware of the projects implemented by the government. I allocated Rs. 1.5 billion for a project to provide water for cultivation. But not even fifty percent of that money has been spent. The World Bank Loan Scheme will provide US $ 20 million for the development of tea cultivation. We will provide that money to the people through public and private banks,” he said.
The Minister said that tea plants, compost, high shade plants, short shade plants, dolomite were provided free of charge. Applying too much chemical fertilizer did not increase the yield much.
“Fertilizer has clearly been misused in our country. In order to get a very high yield, organic fertilisers should be applied along with chemical fertilisers,” he said.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Isabelle Martin over the last weekend met representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in the East. Tamil Guardian reported that talks focused on the challenges facing the Tamil people.
The meeting was held at the office of ITAK Member of Parliament Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran and brought together parliamentarians representing the Batticaloa and Ampara districts, alongside local government officials including divisional council chairpersons.
Discussions centred on a range of pressing issues, including livelihoods, access to education, employment opportunities and ongoing human rights concerns, as well as the broader state of democratic governance in the region.
High Commissioner Martin sought updates on prevailing socio-economic conditions, particularly the challenges confronting local communities in the East. She noted the concerns raised and indicated that she would follow up on the matters discussed.
Among those present were ITAK MPs Kaveendiran Kodeeswaran, Gnanamuthu Sirinesan and Dr Elayathamby Srinath, along with several local council representatives.
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
ITAK MPs representing East take their woes to Canadian HC
People demand release of Keppapilavu land
Sajith calls VAT hike extortion, demands relief for the public
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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