He attended the AGM as the Chief Guest and said that his government received the blessings of the patriotic people of the entire country and pledged to build a peaceful country eliminating terrorism. After defeating terrorism successfully, problems prevailing today cannot be passed on to the future generations. Therefore the resources and strength utilized in the past to defeat terrorism has been converted to develop the country now.

Speaking further, the President said that there is a need for modernization in the local plantation sector to face the current food crisis and also global market challengers in the future. So the Government granted the fertilizer subsidy and facilities to obtain bank loans at a time when the entire world was embroiled in an economic crisis.

At the AGM the Private Tea Factory Owners’ Association handed over 19 million rupees for the "Api Wenuven Api" Ranaviru Fund. Ministers D.M. Jayaratne and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Secretary of the Plantation Mrs Indrani Sugathadasa and executive members of the association were among those present

Pix by: Chandana Perera