Small tea estate owners say that the price of green tea leaves in the country is declining rapidly these days.

They point out that this situation has arisen due to the import of substandard tea from India and Kenya, blending it with Sri Lankan tea and re-exporting it.

Wasantha Alwis of the Tea Small Holders’ Association stated that the price of a kilo of green tea leaves which was 120 rupees when the present government came to power has come down to 88 rupees.

As a result, smallholder tea growers are facing a serious economic crisis, he said.

He further state ed that this situation has arisen due to the decision taken by the government to allow tea to be imported from abroad and blended with 30% of Sri Lankan tea and re-exported