• Directs plantation companies to start growing food crops on all underutilised lands
• Moots tea auctions to be conducted in dollar basis
• Assures priority in providing fuel for needs of plantation sector
• Plans to provide fertiliser for all plantation crops

The critical plantation sector is to be revitalised via key presidential measures.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday instructed to identify all underutilised lands owned by plantation companies and prepare an expeditious program to cultivate food crops. Provision of fertiliser for all plantation crops was also assured.

At a meeting convened to discuss challenges facing the plantation sector, it was revealed that plantation companies own over 9,000 hectares of uncultivated land.

 The President pointed out the need to identify suitable crops for cultivation in respective estates owned by 23 companies.

The foreign exchange earned by the country from tea exports should be maintained in a transparent manner. The President said that the possibility of conducting the tea auction in dollars should be explored immediately. 

The need for a formal fuel supply program for factories and other needs in the plantation sector was discussed in detail. It was decided to give priority to releasing fuel from designated filling stations to factory owners with the recommendation of the Ministry or the Divisional Secretary. The President’s Media Office said farmers are now receiving the highest prices in history for tea, rubber, coconut and export crops.

Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana, President's Chief of Staff Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry B.L.A.G. Dharmakeerthi and heads of line ministries were also present at the discussion. 

Rice stocks only sufficient for two weeks:  Anuradhapura Mill Owners