The Minister said so responding to a question raised by UNP Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Atukorale.  

Tea Research Board and the Tea Smallholders’ Association have launched a training project to increase awareness on water and soil conservation in tea lands among tea small holders. The project is implemented in two stages. The tea small holders who would attend the training programme would be given Rs 2,500 at the first stage of the programme while the balance would be made available to them after completion of the training programme.

The minister said that 225,144 had been registered to participate in the training programme which would be held throughout the country during the year. These projects were not conducted targeting elections as alleged by some of those in the opposition, the minister added.(Special Reporter/HC)