• Claim malpractices at leaf collection points 
• Want Tea Board and buyers’ intervention for same including Rs. 250 per kg

Small tea holders are raising concerns over long-standing malpractices in the weighing and purchasing of green tea leaves, urging the authorities to mandate fully computerised systems to eliminate cheating that persists under traditional methods.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), the former Ratnapura District Small Tea Holding Association’s President, N.L. Indika Yasaratne said the majority of grievances faced by smallholders could be resolved if the Tea Board and purchasing companies ensured accuracy in weighing and transactions. “There are broken machines and malfunctioning machines at these collection points. The new computerised system introduced in some places has helped reduce these issues. If this system can be extended to every company, the small tea holder will be greatly benefited,” he said.

Yasaratne also highlighted ongoing economic pressures affecting the sector. “Trade unions have decided on a wage of Rs. 1,750 for estate workers. As a result, we are now expected to pay at least Rs. 2,000. When combined with the cost of fertiliser and maintenance, paying that wage leaves us with no profit.” He noted that the current prices range from Rs. 190 to Rs. 200 per kg of tea leaves. “We need at least Rs. 250 per kg to continue operating with a profit,” he asserted.

Despite formal representations made to the Tea Small Holding Development Authority and the Plantation Ministry, no solutions have been forthcoming. “We have officially requested their intervention. We have not received any resolution yet,” Yasaratne noted.

According to sector data, 16 per cent of Sri Lanka’s arable land is dedicated to tea cultivation. Smallholders operate on 60% of this land and contribute to over 70% of the nation’s total tea output. However, persistent issues including inadequate infrastructure, weighing irregularities, and low leaf prices, remain unaddressed for years.