Sri Lanka, Oct. 15 -- Plantation companies yesterday pushed back against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's bid to raise estate worker wages, warning the move has no firm economic logic and would saddle the sector with an additional Rs. 13 billion burden per year.

President Dissanayake said the government would ensure plantation workers receive a minimum daily wage of Rs. 1,750 within this year. He made these remarks on Sunday (12) while participating in the event held at the Bandarawela Public Grounds to distribute house ownership deeds to the Malayagam community.

"At the moment, the price for a kilo of tea is Rs. 1,083 at the auction, which is less than previous prices. In 2022, when the daily wage was Rs. 1,000, a kilo of tea was s...