Sri Lanka, July 17 -- The nationwide launch of a programme to establish 500 cluster tea villages got underway on Wednesday at Halgolla in the Kotmale Divisional Secretariat in Nuwara Eliya.

The initiative, aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka's tea growers, formed the backdrop to our conversation with Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratna. Here, he discusses the government's plans for the tea sector, the challenges facing smallholders, and the broader political landscape.



Q: What is the objective behind the Ceylon Tea Village programme, and how will it benefit tea growers?

A: Our objective is to increase Sri Lanka's tea production to 400 million kilograms and raise export earnings from tea to U...