History of Ceylon Tea

Sri Lanka is unable to provide the adequate amount of weedicide in the form of Glyphosate to the plantations sector.

With Glyphosate being banned for a considerable time frame the plantations now require a large amount of it to be applied, Plantations Association Spokesman Dr. Roshan Rajadurai told the Business Times.

He said that they currently require more than the previously applied quantities as the estates are now without the use of these.

In fact, in a circular issued by the Plantations Ministry dated August 10, it has been stated that the government plans to import only 245,000 litres of Glyphosate annually and this will be distributed only twice a year. Initially only 227,000 will be imported and this will be carried out by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

Distribution of Glyphosate will be carried in different quantities of 400 ml, 1, 2 and 4 litres from the main office of the CPC and its regional offices, the circular stated.

Currently Sri Lanka has 18,000 litres and of this 17,800 litres will be allocated for the sugar cane plantations in a bid to overcome a disease that has set in and a further 200 litres for the Sugarcane Research Institute.

Tea Research Institute, Rubber Research Institute, Coconut Research Institute, Sugarcane Research Institute and Regional Plantation Companies – Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, Janatha Estate Development Board, Elkaduwa Plantations and those engaged in export of the crop including the SME and rubber growers are permitted to apply Glyphosate on the plantations.

Glyphosate was banned last year and plantations have not been able to use it following the policy decision of the government at the time.