The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the tea sector, noting its major contribution to export earnings and arguing that targeted interventions could further expand it. He asked the authorities to address growers’ complaints about fertilizer quality and timely supply. He also alleged that some state-leased estates, including Egbert Estate in Kolonna under Maturata Plantations, had moved away from tea into hotels, subleasing and mining, and called for monitoring and corrective action against such practices.