Tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) by the Scottish planter James Taylor in 1867. Eventually Ceylon Tea became one of the finest tasting teas in the world thanks to her overall, well balanced tasting profile with ideal strength, body, aroma and flavour. In a time when the whole world is been affected by COVID 19 Virus, An Important Discussion Among Ceylon Tea Industry Stakeholders was held to discuss on how to win challenges in this tricky situation.

Highlights Quoted,

PRESENT 

Jayampathy Molligoda – Chairman Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) 

Anura Siriwardena  – DG Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)   

Jayantha Karunaratne  – Chairman Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA)

Sanjaya Herath  – Chairman Tea Exporter’s Association (TEA)

Naren Dambawinna – Chairman CBA

Chandima Wickramasinghe – Chairman SLTFOA

Tharangani Wickramasinghe – Addt Secretary,  MPI & EA 

Nimal Karunatillake – DG of Commerce 

Malani Baddegamage  – Director Export Development Board (EDB)

Chithranjali Peiris  – Asst  Dir Gen Export Development Board (EDB)  

Jayantha Edirisinghe – Tea Commissioner Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)

Pavithri  Peiris – Director (Promotion) Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)

Hasitha de Alwis – Consultant ( GP ) Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB)

Anuradha Jayasena – Chairman of the Packaging Association

Chairman of the Printers Association in Sri Lanka

MINUTES 

Chairman SLTB explained the main purpose of convening the emergency meeting. He went on to say that last 02 weeks was a huge challenge for the Sri Lanka Tea Industry to keep the wheels moving on the face of the COVID 19 Virus pandemic. He expressed his gratitude to CTTA for conducting the Tea Auctions on 17 & 18 March under pressure. Chairman SLTB conveyed the fact that many important transactions had to be executed through phone calls and on-line operations.

Mr Molligoda also touched on the importance of the tea industry to the economy of the nation with almost 2 Million people directly & indirectly employed where a foreign exchange revenue of USD 1.5 Billion of valuable income is generated annually. Then, he focused on the important issues faced by the stakeholders under the currently prevailing circumstances and limitations. Since mobilization of workers during curfew is a significant hurdle, Chairman SLTB took that topic for initial deliberations. Mr Molligoda connected SSP Edirimanna who is in charge of the subject matter over a telephone conference. 

In a nutshell the salient features of the discussion with SSP Edirimanna is listed below:

1. Every person with a connection to the tea industry must carry his or her identification and letter of authority. 

2. Essential Services are allowed to cross district to district 

3. Vehicles transporting staff can obtain a special curfew pass

4. A tea factory letter on the factory letter head is acceptable for the transportation of tea 

5. A letter from the factory is sufficient for the transportation of fire wood 

6. If districts are to be crossed, to mention that as well on the factory letter 

7. Printing & Packaging companies will be allowed to transport materials from their factories to the warehouses of tea exporters on a similar basis through the origination of a letter

8. The Chairman of T.E.A. on behalf of the tea exporters requested SSP Edirimanna to organize a ” HELP DESK ” at the police department where the industry stakeholders could contact & approach rather than disturbing Mr Edirimanna for each and every problem. He promised to set up such a unit. 

Thereafter the opportunity was given to the Packaging and Printing Representative to explain their grievances. Mr Anuradha Jayasena, the Chairman of the Packaging Association said that the island has 45% of excess capacity in manufacturing corrugated Cartons and 35% of excess capacity in the production of flexible packaging but the metal caddies/tin cans are mostly imported from China. The issue for them was that factories which were running 24 hours under normal circumstances are working only for 06 to 08 hours.

The labour is frightened and reluctant to come to work. Some have gone to their villages. It was therefore suggested to the printing & packaging companies to issue letters to the Police “Help Desk” incorporating the workers who are willing to come to the factory to obtain permission to shuttle between their homes and the work place during curfew hours. Further, it was highlighted to request the PHI of the area to visit the Packaging & Printing factories and advise the workers on the sanitary regulations. It was also agreed that SLTB would circulate the guidelines on health and sanitary procedures among all the stakeholders through the Tea Commissioner. 

It was agreed that mobilization of the factory staff is a huge challenge for the printing and packaging companies which is a common problem even in tea factories under the prevailing circumstances. Raw material shipments are held up at the Colombo Port since Customs are only clearing medicine, medical equipment and essential food stuff. It was revealed that raw materials are essential for not only the packaging & printing industry. They are absolutely necessary for the value addition of Ceylon Tea as well. Importation of flavours, herbs, flower petals, spices etc. is of utmost importance to add value to the black tea and green tea prior to packaging. Therefore the question of a representation not available from the export sector (either from EDB or Dept of Commerce) on the Task Force was highlighted. Ms Indika Wickramasinghe is the representative in the Task Force to be contacted regarding this crucial matter. EDB was requested to contact Ms Indika Wickramasinghe as soon as possible. Basil Rajapakse is heading the Task Force and EDB/DOC could send a letter to the Presidential Secretariat requesting their representation to be incorporated to the appropriate cluster under the main Task Force. 

It was unanimously agreed by the participants that protection of the supply chain is of paramount concern for the industry. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Factory Owners Association highlighted the following problems relevant to their sector:

(1) Transportation of Fire Wood 

(2) Worker Transportation 

(3) Shortage of Paper Sacks 

(4) Closure of Banks 

Point No (1) & (2) has already been discussed and (3) Paper Sacks supply is expected to improve once the plants commence better operations. Regarding No (4) Chairman SLTB connected GM of BOC to clarify the position. As per the latest update, banks would work for 02 hours from 9.00 to 11.00 AM from Monday and extended hours in Districts without curfew. It was pointed out that on-line banking and ATM Machine usage is extremely vogue in rural areas. Thus, physical banking activities and use of liquid cash is very necessary. 

It was unanimously decided that green leaf collection/transportation must be stopped by 6.00 PM and Tea Commissioner will issue a circular immediately to this effect. It was conveyed by Chairman SLTB that Cabinet of Ministers had taken a decision for individual Ministries to take action on whether the institutions under them should work or not during the next few weeks. 

It needs to be reiterated that green leaf transportation is allowed during curfew hours until 6.00 PM with the aforementioned documentation. The problem of Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Relations not working for legalisation of documents was raised by Chairman of the CTTA. Immediately Ravinatha Aryasinha, Foreign Secretary was contacted on that issue. He requested for a letter explaining the subject and promised to take action as soon as possible. Additional Secretary, MPI & EA is to submit the letter to Foreign Secretary. The Consultant (Promotion) will draft the letter and email to Mrs Wickramasinghe.

The feasibility of holding the future tea auctions at the BMICH was discussed as well. The Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Manjula de Silva was immediately informed of the proposal. Anyway, the next auction on 31/3 & 01/4 will be held at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Building. 

The following approvals are required to conduct the Tea Auction Sales at BMICH:

(1) Presidential Secretariat 

(2) PM’s Office 

(3) Health Ministry 

(4) Task Force Head Shavendra Silva

The written consent of all four parties is a prerequisite to commence the auction sales at BMICH since they have been instructed to stop all functions where people are congregating. Mr Sunil Dissanayake is the Director General of the BMICH and CTTA/TEA requested the SLTB to assist them in obtaining the approvals as fast as possible.

Mr Jayantha Karunaratne confirmed that Ministry of Health Food Department has commenced work from today and certifications could be obtained once again. However he pointed out that Atomic Energy Authority is not functioning to get the Radioactive free Certificate. Mr Viraj, one of the Directors was contacted and he explained that priority is extended to imported products. Nevertheless he promised to help the tea export trade. This matter needs to be followed up by Acting Director of the SLTB Lab.

Quoting Complete.

This discussion was held in a tricky time when the whole world is battling against COVID 19 Virus. Anyway, the priority should be given to health and safety of general public.

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
  
• Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
  
• Avoid touching your face.
  
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
  
• Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
  
• Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Also please contact your health service provider immediately, if you show common COVID 19 symptoms Include,

• fever
• tiredness
• dry cough.

Other COVID 19 symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• aches and pains
• sore throat
• and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

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References

Meeting Minutes