News
Tea Board has spent Rs 4.6 billion on advertising campaign, but no results
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), on Tuesday (19), instructed the Sri Lanka Tea Board to submit a report within three months detailing the outcomes of all the money they spend on promoting tea.
Chairman of COPE, Prof. Ranjith Bandara made this directive when it was revealed that the Tea Board had spent about Rs 4.6 billion on an advertising campaign which had yielded no results.
It was also revealed that the Tea Board was operating without filling four key vacancies.
Chairman of the Board Niraj de Mel said that they were not able to recruit new people due to the recent economic crisis.
However, COPE Chairman pointed out that it was in 2016 that the Cabinet of Ministers authorized the recruitment of a Deputy Director General – Marketing. Prof. Bandara: “This was before the crisis. There is a vacancy for the post of Director HR & Administration.”
Assistant Director, HR & Administration Sajini de Silva: “The board of directors decided that there was no need to hire anyone for the post. We have informed this to COPE in 2018. We didn’t ask for this post, it was the Cabinet of Ministers that decided to create this post.
Ranjith Bandara – “So you didn’t recruit?”
Sajini de Silva- “We decided not to.”
MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa – “So you have ignored a decision by the Cabinet. How can you decide to ignore Cabinet directives?”
Sajini de Silva: “The former Chairman informed this to COPE in 2018.”
Anura Priyadharshana Yapa – “Don’t tell this to COPE. Tell this to the Cabinet of Ministers.”
MP S.M. Marikkar: “You say there is no need for this post but the Tea Board has decided to carry out an advertising campaign amounting to 4.6 billion rupees. A lot of advance payments had been made. But not a single advert has been aired or published.”
Tea Board Director Promotion Pavithri Peiris: “We have spent 1.4 million US Dollars on the campaign for creative content.”
Prof. Bandara: “Mr. Chairman, we have spent billions but we have not been able to capture the market. We will give you three months. Within this time, we want you to give us a report on what are the outcomes of all the money you spent.”
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM returns to the island
Navy divers restore sluice gate of Bomburuella Reservoir
Gujarat Giants comfortably overcome sloppy UP Warriorz
After fall from grace, Asalanka aims to bat on for Sri Lanka
PM holds High-Level meetings with EU, UNDP, and corporate leadership at World Economic Forum
Trump withdraws Canada’s invite to join Board of Peace
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial6 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
News7 days agoUNDP’s assessment confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah
-
Editorial7 days agoCrime and cops
-
Features6 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Features6 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Features5 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective
-
Features6 days agoThe Story of Furniture in Sri Lanka
-
Opinion4 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders