The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister, I answer:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The number of tea smallholders is 43,984. (ii) In 2024: - Kalutara District smallholder tea production (made tea): 15.514 million kg - National smallholder made tea production: 197.157 million kg - Contribution of Kalutara District smallholder production: 7.86% (iii) The number of Tea Smallholding Development Societies is 120. (iv) Welfare measures include the “Tea Shakthi” insurance benefit scheme under which smallholders who are members of a Tea Smallholding Development Society, and their family members, can obtain full membership by depositing Rs. 2,400 in the Tea Shakthi Insurance Benefit Fund and are entitled to benefits for: - Brain/kidney/heart surgeries - Permanent/temporary disability - Death due to accidents - Natural death

¶ 03 (b) (i) Method of enrolling members: Under the Tea Smallholding Development Society constitution, founding eligible persons have membership. Eligible smallholders apply via the prescribed form through the Society Secretary to the General Meeting, and upon approval by the General Meeting, membership is granted. Method of electing office bearers: Office bearers are elected in terms of Section 19.1(a), (i), (ii), (v) of the 2018 amendment series.

¶ 04 (ii) Details: Membership: - Must be a tea smallholder aged 18 or over within the society’s jurisdiction. - Must hold a permit for new tea planting in the relevant year within the area. - For a newly established society, all present who meet basic eligibility can obtain membership that day. - Where a society exists, obtain the application from the Secretary, submit the completed form to the Society, and the application is presented to the General Committee; upon approval, membership is granted. - Annual membership fee is Rs. 240, payable within the first quarter; if unpaid in the first quarter, membership is suspended.

¶ 05 Election of office bearers: - Registered societies have a two-year term. - After two years, the Chairman of the Tea Smallholders Development Authority issues a formal notice to reorganize all societies. - The formal notice is sent by the Chairman to all society secretaries and regional organization secretaries, Tea Inspectors/Extension Officers and Zonal Tea Society Extension Officers. - The Society Secretary, in consultation with the Tea Inspector/Extension Officer, obtains a date, and notices/invitations are sent 14 days in advance. - On the appointed date, the society is reorganized under the chair of the Authority’s Tea Inspector/Extension Officer.

¶ 06 (iii) Not applicable.