The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 (a) (i) Yes.

¶ 02 (ii) Complaints are reported regarding wild animal attacks, snake and wasp bites and accidents due to chemicals affecting workers in estates belonging to the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB) and the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC). However, information on workers in regional plantation companies (RPCs) is not reported to the Ministry. Although there is general discussion, specific complaint/data records are not available with us.

¶ 03 (iii) During daily work, estate workers sometimes face such incidents, but precise records are not available. According to SLSPC, around 500 wasp-related incidents are reported annually.

¶ 04 Under the JEDB-managed tea estates, in the last five years there were 19 wasp attack incidents, 6 snake bites, 5 wild elephant attacks and 1 sloth bear attack reported.

¶ 05 (iv) Measures taken by SLSPC include: - Removal of removable wasp nests by trained workers. - Identifying tea bush locations with nests and avoiding deployment there. - Referring affected persons for appropriate medical treatment in emergencies.

¶ 06 Measures taken by JEDB include: - Clearing estate boundaries and providing necessary protection. - Continuous pruning/removal of branches of trees that host wasp nests. - Removing wasp hives. - Providing, and instructing the use of, protective gear (face masks, gloves, footwear) during work.

¶ 07 Measures by RPCs include: - Training programmes organized with the Biodiversity Conservation Organization, as directed by the Central Province Governor’s Office, to prevent wasp attacks affecting communities around tea estates. - Continuous awareness programmes by estate management for safe chemical use and accident prevention; provision of personal protective equipment for sprayers and bathing facilities after chemical application. - Compliance with national/international environmental certification such as Rainforest Alliance, where chemical handling/use is a key criterion.

¶ 08 (b) (i) No data reported. (ii) Not applicable. (iii) Not applicable.

¶ 09 (c) Not applicable.