The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna

¶ 01 We recognize complaints about fertilizer standards and delays. The new decision allows beneficiaries to use the subsidy with multiple suppliers, not just the state supplier. We will issue QR codes to ensure timely, choice-based access—similar to fuel—aiming to launch next month.

¶ 02 Tea export revenue was USD 1.42 billion last year. In the first five months of last year, exports were USD 331 million; this year’s first five months rose to USD 434 million—an improving trend.

¶ 03 Regarding underutilized large-estate lands and alternate uses: the long-term lease agreements—concluded under past UNP governments—are onerous and disadvantageous to the State. Yesterday, with the Labour Minister, we met plantation company chairpersons on wage increases and on allocating underutilized lands to cultivation. The President has directed that all underutilized lands—state or private—must be put under productive use. Our Ministry and the State Plantation Corporation have completed surveys; last week we published transparent advertisements inviting investors to lease specified extents for cultivation and to rehabilitate abandoned bungalows for tourism, adding value without harming the plantation industry. We have informed companies that all idle lands must either be cultivated or be subject to interim levies; otherwise, the Government will act to ensure cultivation.