Tea Board saga; battle still on

An interim injunction issued against the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) based on an application by its former chairman was vacated on February 2, enabling the current directorate to function. The battle of wits between the board and the former chairman B. A. C. Abeywardane – over his dismissal – has been going on for awhile and even led to the latter calling a board meeting, even after he was ousted.

Abeywardene summoned a board meeting for January 19 – based on the strength of the court injunction but none of the board members attended the meeting. The interim injunction had Barred Tea Board from holding any board meetings, putting into effect any of the decisions which were essential for the development of the industry.

Among these, the overseas promotion programmes and replanting and factory modernisation subsidiary programmes were the many activities which were severely affected. The Board is now back working at full capacity. “We are back to normal now and our first board meeting will be held on February 15,” said Lalith Hettiarachchi, current chairman of the board.

However the former chairman who was unceremoniously removed by a presidential order due to severe opposition against him by the entire industry hasn’t given up yet. The court case which Abeywardane filed against the Minister of Plantation Industries, its secretary and the entire Tea Board in the District Court over his dismissal will resume in court on March 15. (CD)