By Somachandra Yakandawala
Although the "Shakthi" tea factory was constructed in Daraniyagala one and a half years ago, it has yet to produce any tea. The present Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne declared the factory open with much fanfare but ever since, the factory has been idling.
Tea small holders have been severely affected as the work on the factory has not been completed for the last 10 years.
A resident of the area L.Sarath Kumara (40) said that tea growing is the main occupation in this area and every family in the village owns at least ½ acre of tea and some of them grow tea in their small garden. What the villagers lack is a factory.
The Provincial organiser of the All Ceylon Tea Smallholders Association and the Director of "Tea Shakthi" fund, N. M.R.Jayatillake said that the factory could not function due to the non availability of machines. Now the machines have been bought at a cost of Rs two million and it would take another 45 days to install them and start work.
Thick undergrowth around the factory buildings.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=47474
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