In accordance with the development projects that are underway, it is the primary responsibility of the Government to promote tea and pepper cultivation to overcome the unexpected price drop that has been experienced during the past days via the exposing of new markets, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka said, addressing the multiple ceremonies to open public projects completed in Deniyaya on Monday (22).
Accordingly, the foundation laying ceremony of the planned five story administration building of the Pitabeddara Divisional Secretariat amounting to Rs 14 million, was held under the patronage of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka recently. On this occasion, under privileged families in the surrounding areas were also offered with land ownership cards. Subsequently, Minister Ratnayaka opened the Deniyaya, Kotapola, Brukleen Bridge which was completed at a cost of 44 million rupees within 11 months.
The newly constructed Kotapola, Godakumbura bridge was also declared open by Minister Ratnayaka. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that may criticized the projects being implemented to upgrade the road system. They would say that it was a wastage in a period where villagers have been facing significant financial difficulties.
I know there is a down fall in the Tea and Pepper industries. I’m sharp eyed on these industries, as our family has been engaged in tea cultivation for over several decades.
I’am sensitive for the ups and downs taking place in these sectors. Tea is the main source of income in this region and we have been criticizing the lower price offered for tea over the years. At that time, smallholders had to face numerous difficulties due to the lower prices offered and most of them had failed to earn back the invested amount of money. Respectively, after the appointment of our government in 2015, a stable price for tea was instituted and later we were able to increase the price up to 100 rupees, sometimes over Rs.100, which had been stagnating in the sixties. Correspondingly in these days, we have been experiencing a similar drop in the price of tea and it has gripped the interest of cultivators to grow.
Also, the conflict that occurred between America and Iran, resulting to an application of sanctions on Iran, could be identified as another cause of price drop.
Therefore, under these circumstances, as a government, we would take all possible steps to strengthen the tea cultivators through instituting a stable price for tea, rather than giving cause as excuses.
“ So I could assure about the government’s direct intervention in this regard,” he said.
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