The inauguration of the “Ceylon Tea Village” program, which aims to establish 500 cluster tea villages across Sri Lanka, will be held on July 15 at Halgolla Hapugastalawa in the Kotmale area of the Nuwara Eliya District. 

Addressing the media on Thursday (09), Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne announced that in its initial phase, work will begin in 144 tea villages covering 11 districts.

Launched by the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, the program seeks to raise national tea production to 400 million kilograms and boost export revenue to USD 2.5 billion by 2030. 

The program is being implemented with the leadership of the Small Tea Plantation Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, and the National Plantation Management Institute.

Commenting on the program, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne said Ceylon Tea has long strengthened Sri Lanka’s economy with its globally recognized flavor. He emphasized that through the establishment of 500 tea villages, production will rise significantly, increasing export revenue by USD 1 billion and strengthening both tea growers and the national economy.

Currently, 95% of Sri Lanka’s tea production is exported, while only 5% is consumed locally. Small tea plantation owners contribute 75% of total output. The program aims to improve small growers’ income, introduce value‑added tea products, integrate tea with tourism, promote modern and sustainable cultivation methods, develop infrastructure in identified villages, and establish cooperative societies.

Minister Samantha Vidyaratne stressed that the selection of the 144 villages scheduled for launch in 2026 was carried out scientifically and technically by officials of the Tea Research Institute and the Small Tea Plantation Development Authority, without political interference.

The “Ceylon Tea Village” program is expected to benefit smallholders and all stakeholders in the tea industry, while contributing to Sri Lanka’s national development goals by 2030. (Newswire)

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The committee report on the fatal road accident in the Garadi Ella area of the Kotmale Police Division on May 11 was officially handed over today.

Senior DIG Ajith Rohana presented the report to the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. The committee was tasked with investigating the circumstances of the incident and recommending preventive measures.

Addressing a media briefing, Rohana said that the investigation found that 84 passengers, along with the driver and conductor, were on board the bus when it crashed.

The Kotmale crash claimed the lives of 22 individuals and left many others injured.

“The bus departed the Kataragama depot at 10 p.m., with a travel time of approximately 9.5 hours. However, both the driver and conductor had reported for duty at 6 p.m., resulting in a total duty period of around 13.5 hours,” Rohana said.

Investigations confirmed there were no adverse weather conditions such as mist, rain, or slippery roads at the time, while there was no oncoming traffic, he explained.

Rohana also said that assessments by experts and the Government Analyst revealed no mechanical faults or prior accidents involving the vehicle.

“The post-mortem report confirmed that the driver had no physical ailments, such as a heart attack. Additionally, reports also showed that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident,” Rohana said.

Rohana said that it is likely that the driver was fatigued and fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the accident. (Newswire)

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A van has fallen into a precipice in the area of Ramboda on the Nuwara Eliya – Kandy Road, injuring 17 people.

The Police said the injured passengers of the van include children, adding that they have been admitted to the Gampola and Kotmale Hospitals. 

According to the Police, the accident had occurred on the same road where a fatal bus accident was reported recently, in which several people were killed. (Newswire/ Image – Accident1st)

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The funds allocated from the President’s Fund for those who lost their lives in the recent bus accident in the Garandiella area in Kotmale have been forwarded to the relevant Divisional Secretariats, on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

According to the President’s Office, a sum of Rs. 01 million will be provided for each victim of the accident, with the funds being handed over to their respective family members.

These funds have been released to the Divisional Secretariats of the following areas: Tissamaharama, Lunugamvehera, Welimada, Haldummulla, Ella, Kundasale, Bamunakotuwa, Panduwasnuwara West, Polpithigama, Wanathawilluwa, Chilaw, Buttala, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Kanthale and Rambewa, of which the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the accident were residents. (Newswire)

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