Many tea factories have been shut down due to a shortage of diesel..

 The estate authorities said that although there were plans to run factories with generators in the event of a power outage, there were serious problems with the lack of diesel.

 Usually the leaves are put in the factory grinders and then grinded at once.

Tea factory managers say the occasional power outage has disrupted the diesel process.

When inquired about this, the Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries Ravindra Hewawitharana said that steps will be taken to provide the required fuel to the tea industrialists under a special method after discussions with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

He also stated that several discussions have been held for that.