Right of reply

Reply to Rohana Illangaratne - Chairman, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority

We refer to the press statement issued by Mr. Rohana Illangaratne, Chairman, T.S.H.D.A. to which prominent publicity has been given in your paper. We shall be most obliged if you could also provide us with an opportunity of responding to the Chairman. 

The crisis facing the small holder sector is far too serious and fraught with too much danger for us to engage in acrimonious, irresponsible and counter productive statements. We should like to restrict ourselves to the facts. 

Loss to factory owners by the imposition of the 4.5% rate of conversion. (Out turn) 

We stated that this rate of conversion, which is having far reaching effects, and is contributing to the losses that we are suffering, has been made on an arbitrary basis without any scientific or economic criteria to justify it. The chairman has not contradicted this. He has the liberty to tell us how this figure was arrived at. How will he compensate factories for the losses suffered from the date this rate of conversion was stipulated? Even the T.R.I. St. Joachim does not achieve the 4.5 Kgs rate of conversion, which is equivalent to 22.22% out turn. The chairman T.S.H.D.A. manages Walahanduwa Tea Factory and a few other Tea Factories, with public money. He has to ensure that he obtains an out turn or the rate of conversion of 22.22% because it is on this basis that he pays out money. If he obtains a lesser out turn and pays out on a higher basis, he is squandering public money. Here are his Walahanduwa out turns according to the informantion available to us: 

January   — 16.51
February  — 22.96
March     — 21.91
April     — 20.91
May       — 21.38
June      — 20.02
July      — 20.35
August    — 19.84
September — 19.95
October   — 19.84
November  — 18. 43

The T.R.I. made an in-depth investigation into this rate of conversion and they have come out with a categorical statement that it cannot be obtained. 

We have at no stage, and at no point stated that the rate of conversion can be standardised at either 4.5 or 5Kg per kilo of made tea. The Chairman must know that this must, and will, depend on so many factors such as condition of leaf, moisture in the leaf, type of leaf etc. It can in fact be 6 Kgs. 

We QUOTE - T.R.I - EXPERIMENTS AND EXTENSION FORUM 31/07/98 

Observation/Conclusion

"1.) A maximum of 24.55% a minimum of 18.30% and an average of 21.51% (MT/GL) nett out turn were recorded during the experiments. Based on the above results, an average of 21.5% (MT/GL) nett out turn could be recommended for the Ratnapura District. To be fair by the Small Holders and the Factory Owners of the other areas in the low country, it has been decided to collect data ( moisture content of green leaf) for about a year and to recommend an average figure for those areas as well. The entire experiment need not be repeated. 

2.) During the dry months of February, March etc, it was difficult to achieve a nett out turn of even 21.5% from bought leaf although almost 24% could be achieved from estate leaf."

May we urge the Chairman T.S.H.D.A. to look to these problems as a serious unfair imposition on a Private enterprise, which is effecting its liquidity. Who is going to pay for the considerable losses that we suffered? Can we also ask the Chairman to refrain from misleading the reading public by attributing to us statements that we have not made. If the Chairman would like to give his crop figures on Walahanduwa we can illustrate to him the money he has lost on the out turn alone. He may be able to take such losses because his operation is funded by public money. Does he expect us to continue on this unfair basis? 

Factory owners subsidising small holders 

The Chairman claims that factory owners are exploiting small holders by making unauthorised and high deductions from the leaf at the point of weighing. Today, it's no secret that factory capacity far exceeds the green leaf in any given area. 

So much so that there is fierce competition between Private Factory Owners, Plantation Company Factories for green leaf. In such a competitive environment we fail to understand how a factory can make unfair deductions. If for instance two boutiques are selling sugar at Rs 30/= per kilo and one boutique is giving only 750 grams, who in his right mind will patronize that boutique. Is the chairman aware that 30% to 40% of the green leaf supplied to the factories is through the medium of collectors or middleman and they certainly would not take leaf to a place where unfair deductions are made. 

If we are paying for green leaf that we have not received then is it not a subsidy? If we are paying at 4.5 kilo of green leaf per kilo of made tea and we need 5 kilos of green leaf or more to product a kilo of made tea, then we are paying green leaf suppliers for something that he has not supplied. 

We are paying that because the government has compelled us to do so. This is clearly a subsidy for which we need to be given a grant. We will be forwarding a claim of our losses for re- imbursement. 

If as the chairman says the factories are making unauthorized deductions, cannot they be punished or boycotted and starved of leaf. 

HEAVY INDEBTEDNESS SUFFERED BY FACTORY OWNERS DUE TO SHARING 68% BY TEA SMALL HOLDERS ON THE REASONABLE PRICE FORMULA.

It is to cater to the needs of the small tea growers that the bought leaf factories came in to being. One is totally dependent on the other. Arguing on matters that have no contemporary relevance serves no purpose. 

Just as much as a factory needs the small holder tea grower, what will the grower do if he has no place to process his leaf. Indeed many thousands of kilos of green leaf had to be thrown away due to lack of factories, in the days goneby. This can well happen again if the factories are economically throttled. 

The chairman must be careful when he denigrates the factory owner because of the invaluable service he renders to the small holder in assisting him with loans, interest free advances, fertilizer and agricultural advice. In fact the private factory owner is today peforming the function of an informal banker.The Small Holder and the Private Factory Owner will remain institutes in the village long after those occupying high seats of office are gone. 

The 68% - 32% rate was stipulated almost 12 years ago. All the chairman has to do is to analyze the comparative costs of the small holders and all factory owners and the true picture will then emerge. The chairman maintains the position that the Small Holder provide 100% raw material provisions of which make interest free working capital. It is the formula that compelled the factory owner pay the small holder after a period of 45-60 days. We do not wish to encroach upon the valuable space in the newspaper by narrating a comparative cost analysis. If the chairman wishes, we are willing to do this for him. 

Is it the chairman's contention that the components that go in to the manufacture of a kilo of tea have not increased over the last 12 years? The government has careful figures on the production of a kilo of green leaf. It is not more than Rs. 10/= The cost per kilo of green leaf and the cost of manufacture per kilo of made tea cannot be concealed. The figures are openly available. It can be obtained from any Plantation Company, TRI, or Small Holder estate. 

Mr. Illangaratne goes on to say that the Minister of Plantation Industries has approved a relief scheme to overcome the present crisis. It is shocking to realise the burst of anger and frenzy let out by the chairman of the T.S.H.D.A. in response to the recently conducted Press Conference/Release by the P.T.F.O.A. Our association's intention was to spotlight the serious plight of a most important sector of the country's economy with the fervent hope of receiving quick redress from the relevant authorities. We trust that our objective was to be more favourable to the present Government by bringing the actual situation to their notice so that it may take immediate corrective steps to rectify this serious socio-economic crisis. As such the allegation that our intention is to achieve "narrow political objectives" is senseless and the only conclusion that we could arrive at is that the chairman of the T.S.H.D.A. has been completely misleading the government regarding this serious crisis, with the ulterior objective of achieving his personal ambitions. 

Private Tea Factory Owners Association

Protest against election date to go ahead

By Shelani de Silva

The Catholic Church will go ahead with the mass protest in all five provinces today against the decision to hold Provincial Council elections on April 1, coinciding with the Holy Week.

Despite the Commissioner of Elections seeking court intervention to change the date of elections, following strong opposition, Archbishop's House has sent a directive to carry out the 'silent and peaceful' protest to voice concern over holding the polls during the Holy Week.

Rev. Fr. Kingsley Jayamanna of Archbishop's House told The Sunday Times that the Catholic Church will abide by the law whatever the court order may be but they were going ahead with the Sunday demonstration. When asked whether the Church delayed in protesting, Fr. Jayamanna said the Archbishop had written to the Commissioner the day after the election date was announced informing him of the clash of dates.

"However the Catholic Church does not rush in such matters. We had several discussions and decided that the protest should be held. There is no politics involved. We did not approach any politician to bring pressure on the government. We held discussions with the President who promised us the issue will be raised with the Commissioner of Elections," he said. Several Catholic Ministers and MPs will be taking part in the protest in their respective provinces.

Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told The Sunday Times that he had informed the Cabinet after the date was announced, and the Cabinet in return had written to the Commissioner of Elections, a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile The Sunday Times learns that several PA MPs are considering taking legal action against the Commissioner of Elections.

Fr. Cletus Perera, Vicar General of the Kandy Diocese said that the main protest will be held at St. Anthony' Cathedral with about 6,000 participants.

Uva Bishop Vincent Fernando said they will carry out the protest in all parishes. 

Bishop of the North Central Province Oswald Gomes confirmed that the protest will be carried out with the participation of 13,000 Catholics in the Province.

Meanwhile Catholics in the South and the North East Province have also come forward to carry out the demonstration.

Bishop of Galle Rev. Elmo Perera said as a show of solidarity they too will join the protest. North-East province Bishop Rev Swamy Pillai said although it does not affect the NE they will have a prayerful demonstration.

Meanwhile the head of the Anglican Church, Bishop Kenneth Fernando told The Sunday Times it will not carry out any protest.

Leaders pray; supporters prey

Pregnant woman attacked

By M.Ismeth and Shane Seneviratne 

Hardly a week after all-parties met to work out a violence-free election campaign, the wife of a UNP leader has been badly assaulted just two weeks before she was due to give birth. 

Her aunt and three others who were travelling in a van with her were also assaulted allegedly by PA supporters on Wednesday at Hettipola in the Matale district.

Around 3.45 p.m. Rohini Kumari Kaviratne, 31, wife of UNP candidate Sanjeewa Kaviratne and daughter of former UNP Minister Wijeratne Banda, her aunt Chandra Ekanayake, 33, along with three others were travelling to the education office at Hettipola.

Rohini is a teacher at Kaikawela Madya Maha Vidyalaya and her aunt a teacher at Malugama Madya Maha Vidyalaya.

Rohini told The Sunday Times that on the way to the office they had seen a grey Pajero sporting the PA symbol following their van.

"Behind that vehicle was another vehicle which belonged to a Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha member. The two vehicles stopped our van and an armed gang attacked us.

"I was seated in the front seat and did not get down, but they hit me on my face and head and kicked me in the stomach," she alleged. "My aunt who was in the rear seat was also beaten up and suffered severe head injuries. The three males were pulled out of the vehicle and assaulted," she alleged.

Rohini, who is due to give birth within two weeks, is warded at the Kandy General Hospital while her aunt is warded at Matale. One of the men attacked was the former Rattota Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman M. A. Ariyaratne. Rohini's condition became serious yesterday and she was rushed to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital from Kandy.

Sanjeewa Kaviratne her husband told The Sunday Times he had made a complaint at the Laggala police but so far no arrests had been made though he had given the names and addresses of the suspects.

Mr. Kaviratne is the son of former UNP Deputy Minister P. B. Kaviratne and Rohini is the daughter of former UNP Minister Wijeratne Banda.

Joining hands for bipartisan politics

Nilika de Silva

A rare glimpse of healthy politics was seen when the main contenders for the chief minister's post in the Central Province went before their constituency together, holding hands and canvassing votes.

This new spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition appears to have been inspired by the meeting between President Kumaratunga and Opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe recently.

After a smiling President and Opposition Leader faced the cameras on February 25 the signal appears to have been picked up by their party members as similar instances of bipartisanship were reported from other quarters as well.

The PA' chief ministerial candidates R.B. Herath and the UNP's W.P.B. Dissanayake on Wednesday visited the various departments of the Kachcheri, soliciting support from public servants, who cast their postal ballots.

Amidst a gathering of about 200 supporters from both parties, Mr. Dissanayake said that no matter how others attacked each other, between them there would be no violence. 

Meanwhile in a move to usher in a new political culture devoid of violence, the two main contenders for the Western Provincial Council — Karu Jayasuriya of the UNP and Susil Premjayanth of the PA — will get on a common platform on Tuesday at a meeting organsied by the Sri Lanka Press Club.

Mr. Premjayanth and Mr. Jayasuriya have been sending out healthy signals to party men to curb political violence or election malpractices. 

Meanwhile Kalutara District UNP MP, Tilak Karunaratne and Bandaragama Chief SLFP organiser and Kalutara District PA leader, Tudor Dayaratne jointly decided to put forward a proposal that no outsiders should be brought in to organize party work at grassroots level.

Mr. Karunaratne told The Sunday Times that a committee would be formed at electoral level to ensure a fair and violence free election.

This committee would include religious leaders, police and state officials.

Mr. Dayaratne confirmed that the two main parties had agreed there were enough party supporters for campaign purposes within the province and no extra supporters needed to be brought down from other areas.

Labourers to remove posters

The Commissioner of Election will hire private labourers to pull down election posters and banners, after the police said they would have difficulty in getting their own personnel to do this job.

The removal of all posters and banners was decided on by the all-party election monitoring committee which met on Thursday at Temple Trees with President Kumaratunga presiding. 

It decided the parties should remove all posters and banners within 72 hours. If that was not done, the President would order the police to move in and do it. But when Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake called a meeting of all party representatives on Friday, the police explained the difficulties in using Police personnel to remove the posters and banners.

The Commissioner then told Police to hire labourers who would be paid by the Elections Department.

Toll tops 30 despite talks

By Shelani de Silva.

About 30 incidents of election related violence have been reported so far despite high-level all-party efforts to prevent a repeat of the Wayamba disaster.

Kingsley Rodrigo, Executive Director of the People's Action Front for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said 32 incidents had been reported since the group began its monitoring work after the election date was announced on February 8. 

He said there were no major incidents but the trend was uncertain. The most serious incident was the attack on the UNP rally at Gampola on Thursday. 

PAFFREL has already deployed two monitors in every polling district and hopes to have a team of 6,000 on duty by polling day, Mr. Rodrigo said. 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the other monitoring group, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), said they also had received more than 30 complaints but had learnt that police headquarters had got much more.

Ranil sees Gampola clash as attack on CBK

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

In the wake of clashes between rival parties in Gampola on Friday, the UNP has decided to lodge the first complaint to the All-Party Monitoring Committee, urging immediate action, General Secretary Gamini Atukorale said.

He said this incident in which two policemen were seriously injured was one of several that had taken place after the President convened the all-party meeting on February 25. 

The Gampola violence occurred when the UNP held its fourth sathyagraha as part of its 'save democracy campaign' after the Wayamba violence. 

UNP sources said the Satyagraha was disrupted by PA supporters who pelted stones at the Satyagrahis while chasing onlookers away by using clubs and other weapons. 

They said the attackers had set tyres ablaze, apparently as a reminder of the reign of terror during the UNP regime. 

According to UNP sources , the clashes began when UNP candidate Keheliya Rambukwella accompanied by about 250 persons was prevented from entering the area. 

This provoked UNP supporters to turn on the PA men and chase them away.

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesighe has condemned the clashes and appealed for better control by both parties. He alleged that thugs of a powerful PA politician from the area had obviously defied the President's orders.

"This attack was not aimed at the UNP, but at the President who is trying to get an all-party consensus to tackle election violence. This will tarnish her image," he said.

Meanwhile, the UNP will hold eight other sathyagraha campaigns as part of the 'save democracy drive.' 

Candidates pledge peac

All chief ministerial candidates of the Western Province responding to the call of Ven. Elle Gunawasa gave a solemn pledge to shun violent politics. Karu Jayasuriya of the UNP, Susil Premjayanth of the PA, Bandula Gunewardena of the MEP and others participating in a religious ceremony at Dharmayatanaya in Colombo..Pic. by Dixon Wasantha.

Buddhist prelates in the five provinces where elections are to be held will invite chief ministerial candidates to pledge their support for a free and fair election. 

The move follows after a meeting organised by Elle Gunawansa Thera last week with all chief ministerial candidates of the Western province and party representatives pledging their support.

Ven. Gunawansa Thera told The Sunday Times that all the main candidates were present at the meeting and agreed to unite for a free and fair elon. "After last week's event, I felt that the other provinces too should organise such an event. When I contacted the prelates, they agreed and a date will be set," he said.

PA leaders shoot down UNP proposals

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

The UNP resolution envisaging more powers for the Elections Commissioner was shot down by PA leaders when the matter came up for discussion at the party leaders' meeting last week.

The resolution submitted by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had already been included in the Order Paper but at the party leaders' meeting Ministers Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Lakshman Kadirgamar, M.H.M Ashraff and Batty Weerakoon opposed the resolution being taken up for debate in Parliament, The Sunday Times learns.

On Thursday when the newly-formed all-party election monitoring committee met at Temple Trees, President Kumaratunga rejected the UNP request that the government support the resolution in parliament.

The President told UNP delegate Gamini Atukorale that the Elections Commissioner would be given more powers than what the UNP resolution called for when the new Constitution came into force.

The UNP resolution calls for the empowerment of the Commissioner to monitor, conduct and control the polls and give orders to police, armed forces and public officers to take necessary steps to curb the misuse of public property and ensure a fair election.

The resolution also calls for the setting up of an independent elections commission with the necessary constitutional amendments.

Political sources said the resolution was unlikely to be taken up before the April 1 provincial polls.

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