• Claim hike in illicit liquor consumption linked to absenteeism 

Smallholder tea owners have voiced concerns that the Aswesuma beneficiary programme has become a threat to the tea industry, citing a severe worker shortage on days when payments are credited. According to the owners, workers indulge in illicit liquor on those days and fail to report for duty. 

They further allege that the illicit liquor trade is expanding by targeting Aswesuma beneficiaries, and that domestic violence is also on the rise. The owners warn that many smallholder tea factories may shut down in June, July, and August if the situation continues. Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Chairperson of the National Tea Planters’ Association, Saman Geeganage said that the industry is struggling to secure enough labour, with workers not reporting to work due to illicit liquor consumption, especially on Aswesuma payment days. 

“We can’t find workers on the relevant days when leaves should be plucked. The leaves in many estates across the island have ripened and are being cut down because they can’t be supplied to factories. Some estates have abandoned tea plucking and are preparing for pruning. This situation will create a severe shortage of leaves in the future, and many factories may have to close in June, July, and August," he said. Geeganage added that workers use Aswesuma money to buy illicit liquor, get intoxicated, and spend their time socialising and quarrelling at home. According to him, the illicit liquor business is spreading widely by targeting these social welfare programmes.

The smallholder tea industry has repeatedly warned the Government about high fertiliser prices, low tea leaf prices, and labour shortages. The issue of illicit liquor now adds to these challenges. Earlier also, a surge in illicit liquor consumption on Aswesuma payment days was reported from the Kandy District. 

When contacted, an official from the Excise Station for the Kandy District explained that raids are conducted in response to complaints received. The official noted that the Station does not proactively monitor industries as such, but emphasised that anyone including anonymous complainants can file a report, following which raids would be carried out. He added that no complaint regarding illicit liquor, particularly regarding the estate sector, has been received to date.