Sri Lanka is preparing to celebrate the milestone 76th Independence day highlighting the unique attributes and natural wonders to visitors from across the world on the 4th of February 2024. The paradise island of Sri Lanka is recognized as a teardrop in the Indian ocean, offering a myriad of authentic travel and holiday opportunities encompassing the islands diversity, cultural and natural resources. Sri Lanka’s spectacular beaches have captured the attention of millions of travelers for decades, and remains one of the hotspots for holiday seekers to date.
Sri Lanka offers everything which the modern traveler needs to experience from golden beaches and basking in the sun to numerous picturesque locations. This is an island which is compact and houses some of the world more sought after natural resources, cultural wonders and heritage sites dating back to 2500 years. The destinations exotic wildlife coupled with adventurous side of life and a dash of spicy cuisine is sure to liven up the experience of any holiday seeker. Sri Lanka is a 365-day holiday destination, providing the best of experiences all year round. With easy accessibility with the improved infrastructure facilities, it is ideal for a round trip experience.
The four natural harbors give visitors the ability to host their event giving it in a super sophisticated touch as a cruise tourism destination.
Sri Lanka Tourism, as the apex body of the country, does a yeoman service to promote the destination globally and enhance the tourism offering which is also the third highest foreign exchange earner since its establishment in 1966. The administration has done everything in its capacity to bring Economic stability and revenue generation to the destination, in the journey towards progress. As the National Tourism Organization in the country, it has contributed in many ways to promote Sri Lanka as one of the best tourist destinations in the world, by conducting global campaigns, participating in overseas travel and trade fairs, hosting international journalists and initiating new projects to attract global travelers.
The past several decades have posed many challenges. Sri Lanka has gone through numerous social, cultural and political changes, and amidst the worst crisis situations; Sri Lanka Tourism has forged ahead with plans and promotions to ensure the industry is sustained. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka Tourism is back to normalcy, ensuring the global tourists to visit Sri Lanka, and encouraging them to visit Sri Lanka and assuring them that the destination is safe and secure. It had been a difficult journey but as a result of the relentless promotional efforts, Sri Lanka Tourism together with the industry stake holders have achieved its target of bringing the maximum number of tourists to Sri Lanka in 2023 , making it a perfect year . Sri Lanka Tourism hopes to double these numbers this year (2024) and highlight Sri Lanka as one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Gradually, Sri Lanka Tourism is enjoying the results of its hard work towards bringing back Tourism.
Sri Lanka is an exclusive haven for indigenous ayurveda treatments which is world famous. From across the globe, a large number of tourists visit specially to experience the soothing and healing senses of Ayurvedic Medicine, known to relax the mind, body and soul. There are a large number of wellness resorts, hotels specially dedicated to Ayurveda located across the country and this indigenous practice is knowledge based, natural environment and cultural repertory.
The delectable Sri Lankan cuisine is another attraction which is world renowned. Tourists from all across the globe love to taste the mouthwatering dishes prepared with traditional spices and herbs. Throughout the years, Sri Lankan cuisine has been enhanced with delectable cuisine from other cultures as well. For example, during the Dutch era, the iconic rice dish –Lamprais was introduced to the locals and this specific combination of rice boiled in stock accompanied by frikkadels (frikadeller meatballs), a mixed meat curry, blachan, aubergine curry, and seeni sambol are all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked in an oven. The Dutch also introduced traditional sweetmeats such as Breudher and Kokis, whereas Biryani and Watalappam are introduced from the Muslim culture. Food items such as Ulunduwadai ,Dosai, Parippuwadai, sambar , are introduced from the Tamil culture. The Sri Lankan rice & Curry is the most famous of Sri Lankan dishes, while others such as Kiribath ,Kottu , hoppers , string hoppers and Pittu are also firm favorites.
Adventure Tourism has been making waves in the destination, as one of the key products of the Tourism sector. Sri Lanka is renowned as an Adventure Tourism destination among foreign travelers. Sri Lanka offers a myriad of Adventure activities such as a hike or trek in the Horton plains, surrounded by expanding mountains, lush green forests, paddy fields,parks and sleepy villages. Some of the best hiking areas in Sri Lanka include the Knuckles Mountain range, Pidurangala and Sigiriya, Ella rock & Little Adams peak ,Sinharaja forest for an ideal trek , (while enjoying the view of exotic Fauna & Flora, and wildlife) ,and canoeing in the Mahaweli river. Other adventure activities include White Water rafting in Kitulgala, Hot Air Ballooning, diving in the deep blue ocean, and experience great dive sites in Kalpitiya ,Ampara and Trincomalee., offering rare chances of wreck diving , skin diving and diving with Dolphins. Whale watching in Mirissa and watching Dolphins at Kalpitiya can be an interesting regardless of time. The ever smiling, mischievous dolphins will put on a show while some of the oldest and the largest sea creatures, the humpback and the blue whales, will nonchalantly glide past you, when you embark on a whale/ dolphin watching excursion off the Southern, Eastern or the West coast of Sri Lanka. The ideal locations for whale watching would be Dondra Point (accessible from Galle, Hikkaduwa and Mirissa) and Trincomalee. Sports Tourism also can be included as that also has come up as a crucial segment, especially as Sri Lanka is blessed with some wonderful golf courses with a panoramic view. Many countries visit the destination for team sports such as Cricket & Rugby, which is another way of taking Sri Lanka to the world. Sri Lanka Tourism also focuses on this segment of Sports Tourism, mainly due to its fine weather right around the year.
Wedding & Film Tourism is also another key factor which has made a difference in destination promotion. With a range of romantic locations and story book settings, Sri Lanka is sought after as a preferred destination for holding wedding ceremonies. Sri Lanka is a paradise island blessed with scenic views and picturesque locations, which would provide an ideal choice for film makers to shoot their films. Throughout the past few years, Sri Lanka Tourism has been promoting both wedding & Film Tourism, by hosting FAM tours to Sri Lanka and participating in Film Festivals and promoting the destination and the various travel and holiday opportunities it has to offer, as well as its potential towards providing spectacular locations for film shoots. Sri Lanka earned its reputation as a film tourism destination as early as the1950,s where David Leans famous war film ‘’ Bridge on the River Kwai ‘’(1957) was filmed in Kitulgala, Sri Lanka . Others include ‘’ Indiana Jones and the temple of the doom ‘’ (1984) , Tarzan the Ape man (1981) , Mother Theresa ( 1997) and Bombay Velvet (2015) . Film Tourism & Wedding Tourism are both niche markets and has potential to attract It has everything in store, from spectacular landscapes to sun kissed beaches in the Southern coastal area. The same applies to Wedding tourism, which offers some of the best hotels, locations and Wedding packages in store, for those who are interested in their matrimony in Sri Lanka. Rest is assured that it will be a memory of a lifetime, and worth cherishing.
Sri Lanka is also blessed with cultural and UNESCO world heritage sites, which has brought fame and prestige to Sri Lanka. These eight UNESCO heritage sites include, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa ,Sigiriya, Kandy , the Galle Fort , Sinharaja forest , and the Dambulla Templeand Central Highlands . These sites date back to thousands of years and up to date, it has ancient ruins which have been preserved for so many years, and the mastery and the architectural splendor of the ancient monarchs, and their skillful artists. The Sri Lanka holds the reputation for having the most ancient cultural pageant in the world, which is none other else than the Spectacular Kandy EsalaPerahera. This pageant which is full of color and glamour is annually organized by the Sri DaladaMaligawa, , in order to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relics of the Buddha. It parades the streets for 10 days in the month of August, and consists of beautifully clad elephants, dancers, fire cracker performers and acrobats. This is one of the must see events of the season for tourists, both locals and foreigners alike.
The capital city Colombo is in itself a wonder. The city is majestically situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean, and while it has the bustling vibe of a vibrant, emerging metropolis, the ambience is one of relative calm and composure when compared to other capital cities of the region. The iconic Lotus Tower is the tallest in South Asia. Scattered with Buddhist temples, churches, Hindu temples and mosques, it sets an example for religious and cultural diversity.
As Sri Lanka celebrates its 76th Independence day with pride, we look forward to steer Sri Lanka to its former glory, enhancing its Tourism sector along with the support of its tourism stakeholders for a better future for Sri Lanka with a positive outlook.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
Invest in Sri lanka more Importantly, why Invest now?
Sri Lanka is strategically located at the crossroads of major shipping routes to South Asia, the Far East, and the continents of Europe and America. Home to one of the Top 25 Container Ports in the World, the country is a key port of call for shipping lines and airfreight services. Further, Sri Lanka’s proximity to the Indian sub-continent positions the country as a gateway to a market of 1.9 billion people in South Asia alone. These factors combined, generate keen interest in Sri Lanka as a preferred investment destination in the region.
Sri Lanka is a vibrant stakeholder of the bustling Asian Economy, which is considered the epicenter of the world's growth over the next decade.
With a range of emerging opportunities across selected sectors, Sri Lanka has put in place high-quality infrastructure to facilitate investment in areas of specific interest. Connectivity continues to ramp up via a rapidly expanding highway network, while the deep water ports of Colombo and Hambantota leverage on Sri Lanka's natural location advantage for sea cargo.
Port City Colombo, a services oriented special economic zone based on reclaimed land which is an extension of the country's Central Business District, symbolizes Sri Lanka's future orientation against a backdrop of industrial excellence fostered by the Board of Investment over the last four decades. Sri Lankan manufacturers are vital stakeholders in global supply chains ranging from aerospace to apparel, and provide the systems engineering for key e-commerce and commercial trading platforms. This is a country that is rich in talent and opportunity.
Trade with Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB)
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is the premier state organization for the development and promotion of exports in Sri Lanka while act as a policy advisor, monitor, promoter, facilitator and knowledge provider in the export sector.
The EDB plays a leading role in the improvement of export performance of Sri Lankan products and services through Export Branding, Create conducive export Ecosystem to Enhance Competitiveness, participation at international trade fairs, Connect Sri Lankan Exporters/SMEs with Global Value Chain, organizing inward and outward buyer/seller missions and online B2B meetings, conducting National Exporters’ Forum Development of Sustainable Organic Agriculture System in Sri Lanka, Product/ Market Diversification, Technology Upgradation & Innovation etc... Apart from that, the EDB promotes Sri Lankan exports online via its E- commerce platform – EDB E-Marketplace - Sri Lanka's E-commerce window to the world, where local exporters can display their merchandise online as well the global buyers are enabled to receivebest Sri Lankan products and related information.
Sri Lanka’sExternal Trade
Sri Lanka’s central location in the Indian Ocean, straddling trade routes from the East to the West, made it a popular trading hub in ancient times and acts the same today. Although Sri Lanka has undergone numerous socio-economic upheavals throughout its history, the nation’s export sector has remained resilient whilst weathering many storms in spite of recent turbulences.
Sri Lanka’s export sector is led by dynamic business leaders who are steadfastly committed towards safeguarding the island’s reputation as a reliable supplier in the international marketplace.
Sri Lanka’s export sector is mainly comprised of merchandise exports and export of services. Apparel exports accounts for 46% of the total merchandize export income while tea, rubber and
coconut based products represent 10%, 8% and 6% respectively of the total merchandize exports. ICT/ BPM, Transport & logistic services, financial services and construction services contributed approx. US $ 1.9 Billion to the total export revenue of the country in 2022.
USA is the main market for Sri Lankan merchandise exports, accounting for 26% of total exports. The EU region accounts for 24% of Sri Lanka's overall exports, making it the country's second largest market.
Sri Lanka is a beneficiary of EU GSP+ as well as UK GSP+.Accordingly, more than 6,000 product lines from Sri Lanka have zero duty access for the EU region and the UK. Sri Lanka has entered into Free Trade Agreements with India, Pakistan and Singapore. Further, Thailand- Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (TSLFTA), Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka and China –Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (CSLFTA) are the proposed Trade agreements which will be signed in the near future.
Sri Lanka’s Excellence
A leading destination in global fashion
Leveraging on creativity and experience in an array of fields such as design, R&D and innovation, the Sri Lankan Apparel Sector has shown steady growth over the past three decades. It is a destination where best business practices partner with social responsibilities to create excellence in providing exceptional solutions to global brands.
Sri Lanka’s apparel sustainability incorporates its entire production, human resources and supply chain process. It has gained an international reputation as a reliable and a quality manufacturer with a highly competent, compliant work force. Sri Lankan factories have focused on innovation as well as offering superior product development and design resources.
Over the past few years, the industry worked to raise the bar further by aspiring to a higher standard of social compliance and embarking on a number of green initiatives. Commitment to ‘Ethical Business & Manufacturing’, free of discrimination, sweatshop practices and child
labour. Policies aimed at reducing waste together with the implementation of lean manufacturing have resulted in a much more efficient production process.
As part of its drive for ethical employment and empowering, Sri Lankan workers have been able to attract and retain better talent. The industry has also implemented shorter process flows to reduce energy wastage and are fully integrated services, which all result in a shorter lead time.
Sri Lanka is a flagship for green destination and it has the worlds’ First Green factories which is LEED Platinum and Gold Certified as well as leading design innovation with the State of the Art product development facilities. Also, there are talented pool of Sri Lankan designers as a number of courses at leading universities are dedicated to the apparel industry and are turning out highly qualified graduates each year.
Sri Lankan apparel has evolved from traditional exports and tailoring designs to providing sophisticated solutions, creativity and experience in BPO services, Fashion, R&D, and Innovation Centers. The country has the highest apparel exports per capita of any exporting nation in the region. Organic growth is guaranteed through market penetration and capacity expansion.
In addition, Sri Lanka's envisaged exponential growth through hub services will emphasize the industry's rise to the international fame. It is no surprise that Sri Lanka's top three apparel companies are already amongst the world's 50 most important suppliers.
Sri Lanka’s Apparel is positioning itself as a fast fashion and logistics hub for the entire South Asian Region. Taken as a whole the South Asian region accounts for a 17% market share of US apparel imports and this figure is increasing on an annual basis. The large labour force and textile resources means that there is continually growing capacity available in the region, and the rapid emergence of the domestic apparel retail market has created a new market for both global brands and factories that supply to them.
In testimony of its world-class standards, the island’s manufacturers now provide solutions to the needs of the world’s leading brands such as Victoria’s Secret, PINK, NIKE, lululemon, Calvin Klein, Gap, Athleta, and Marks & Spencer.
A supplier of top-quality rubber products
Sri Lanka prides itself in manufacturing a number of value-added rubber products by processing raw rubber. This range of rubber products made in Sri Lanka is internationally acclaimed and accepted for quality and durability. Sri Lanka's industrial solid tyres are not only recognized as the best product in the world, but also industry prides itself as the global market leader.
Sri Lanka occupies a prominent place among rubber-producing countries in the world. The island is the world’s leading supplier of solid rubber tires and the fifth largest exporter of surgical gloves in the globe.
Sri Lanka enjoys a competitive edge in its ability to manufacture grades of rubber, which are not produced by other countries. The unique properties of rubber produced by Sri Lanka (for instance, Sri Lanka is the only producer in the world of Latex Crepe and Sole Crepe grades, which is the purest form of natural rubber) further strengthens the country’s proposition.
The globally linked rubber industry in Sri Lanka shows excellent potential for exponential growth with the global industry growing annually at 4-6%. Sri Lanka’s range of products has ample room to evolve with new developments and research in the field. With opportunities in the global markets being opened up to technically sound and innovative local rubber & rubber-based product manufacturers & suppliers, it is clear that the rubber and rubber based products industry will continue to be a solid and profitable segment of the Sri Lanka’s export economy.
An emerging ICT/BPM hub
Sri Lanka, the Island of Ingenuity (IOI) brand has rapidly gained fame for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Business Process Management (BPM).
Sri Lanka’s ICT/BPM sector is progressively contributing to the Global Value Chain while serving many Fortune 500 companies in the world. The skills and expertise of the Sri Lankan
ICT industry have been hailed internationally. Today, the inbuilt ingenuity of Sri Lankans are expressed through our cutting edge innovations in the ICT sector and the innovations power international stock markets, telecommunication and transportation systems in Europe and the UK.
Sri Lanka ranked 1stin financial attractiveness for IT sector in AT Kearney - Global Services Location Index (GSLI) - and was among the top 10 in Asia for Network Readiness Index at the World Economic Forum. This achievement was due to the availability of highly trainable individuals with good cognitive and English language skills & availability of cost-effective & highly skilled labour and dynamic and resilient private sector. Sri Lankan talent serve prominent global corporates across multiple industry verticals (serving leading international clients in the US, Europe and Australia)
Further, Sri Lanka is ideally suited as a niche destination for highly skilled talent, and it is a centre of excellence for Accounting. Foreign investors for IT/ITeS businesses could hold 100% ownership and repatriation of 100% of the revenue is allowed.
Aspiring to be a regional leader in Electrical and Electronic products
With a reputation as a ‘Design to Delivery Destination’ in the Electronic and Electrical sector, Sri Lanka is a center of excellence for electronics design and development, whilst the industry with vigor has embraced all emerging technologies including IoT, Robotics, Bio-medical, Analytics, and advanced Research and Development. Sri Lanka is progressively stepping into the global value-added supply chain with a range of cutting edge products and services, keeping pace and aligned with emerging global trends of ‘digitization’, ‘automation’, ‘miniaturization’, and ‘development of sustainable green energy’.
The inherent uniqueness of the Sri Lankan Electrical and Electronics industry is its ability to provide end-to-end delivery of products and services.
Electrical & Electronics manufacturers and service providers in Sri Lanka, at present operate within the domains of Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), Electrical and Electronics
Component Manufacturing, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), and Design Services, coupled with Research & Development.
With a large talent pool of highly skilled middle-tier workers and a substantially large number of Engineering Professionals and catering to many world-renowned brands in Automobile, Telecommunication, Consumer Electronics, Industrial Automation and Medical sectors, Sri Lanka’s Electrical and Electronic exports have shown sustained growth over the past two decades.
Renowned for world-class quality and unparalleled delivery records, the Sri Lankan Electrical and Electronic industry conforms to all required industry standards and global accreditations, observe ROHS and WEEE regulations, and strictly adhere to the ILO requirements. All Sri Lankan exporters in the Electronics/Electrical industry are ISO certified, committed to protecting the environment, and conform to many international certifications.
Sri Lanka’s reputation as a viable ‘Design to Delivery’ sourcing destination for global buyers revolves around the country’s trade relations with Europe, geo-maritime location, proximity to India’s booming electronic and automotive markets, adherence to all international standards, availability of cutting-edge technology, abundantly available high-quality minerals used as a base material for electronic products.
Endowed with delicious seafood
As a tiny island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is blessed with a large fishing ground filled with the most delicious bounties of the Indian Ocean. The most sought-after fresh seafood produce of Sri Lanka includes fresh tuna, shrimp and prawn, crab and lobster.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a quality tuna exporter -predominantly yellow fin and big eye species to international markets. These include sashimi quality tuna, tuna loins, fresh tuna steaks, tuna topping and tuna saku blocks, to name a few. Other varieties of Sri Lankan seafood relished by the world are the ingredients to culinary seafood heaven; lobsters, crabs, squid, cuttle fish, shark fin, beche de-mer and fish maws are famous in the international seafood market due to their quality taste and texture.
Value added shrimps such as nobashi, and butterfly cut are popular in the Japanese market, while head-on, headless, shell on, peeled and cooked shrimps are popular in the USA, Japan, and Asian markets such as Singapore. These highly sought-after products are all exported from Sri Lanka in significant quantities. The sector has seen significant growth with key buyers from the USA, Japan, Italy, France, Netherlands and Hong Kong. With the opening up of the Northern and Eastern areas of the island nation, 65% of oceanic area is now free for fishing.
There are about 32 EU-approved processing plants in Sri Lanka and it successfully complies with the stringent regulations imposed by importing countries and adheres to HACCP, BRP, Friend of Sea and other food security requirements.
Satisfying a diverse range of tastes across the globe
With the rise of the healthy, organic and vegan diet patterns among global consumers, Sri Lankan processed food manufacturers are combining innovative food processing methods with highly nutritious traditional local ingredients to prepare food and beverage products that are high in taste and goodness.
In place of the customary processed food products that are high in sugar, salt and fat, Sri Lankan processed food and beverages are mainly based on natural fruits, vegetables, and cereals like rice and millet that are naturally gluten-free.
Sri Lankan processed food and beverage sector covers a wide range of products including coconut, vegetables, and fruit-based products, concentrates and juices, semi-cooked food, confectionery, and bakery products, ready-to-serve food, beverages, animal feed, and preparations of cereals and flour.
Sri Lanka's agricultural practices, agro industries and manufacturing companies have expanded their product range to meet these demands and products meet global quality standards in processing, packaging and green manufacturing. Some of certifications are ISO Standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), USDA Organic, Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS), Halal certification and Kosher certification etc.
Many decades ago, Sri Lankan exports focused solely on agricultural products in primary form. Subsequently, with global trends moving towards health-conscious consumers, exports currently include processed food and other value added products including organic, environmental friendly, sugar free and low salted products. Operating in a sustainable manner for millennia, agriculture plays a vital role in Sri Lanka's economic development and in supporting and development of biodiversity and the natural landscape.
World Famous Spices led by Ceylon Cinnamon
Known as the Spice Island, Sri Lanka was historically attractive to the Western nations for its spice riches. Sri Lankan Spices and Allied Products Suppliers export the most sought-after cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamoms, nutmeg, mace and vanilla. These spices grow in abundance all over the island in fertile and diverse soil types and varying temperature conditions,
In addition, Sri Lanka also supply a range of essential oils and oleoresins derived from the spices grown in Sri Lanka. These varieties of condiments are used to season, flavour and aromatise various forms of cuisines across the world.
Sri Lanka, the only supplier of true cinnamon to the world, had been a global destination for the finest quality spices since time immemorial. The EU commission by the implementing regulation - (EU) 2022/144, entered a name ‘Ceylon Cinnamon’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Ceylon cinnamon - PGI). The uniqueness of Ceylon Cinnamon is represented by its characteristics such as golden yellow to light brown colour, thin bark which is filled with smaller layers of cinnamon inside like in a cigarette, sweeter and harsh in taste and negligible content of coumarin.
Ceylon Cinnamon has introduced to the international market as a branded product namely “Pure Ceylon Cinnamon” which reflects a combination of several intrinsic characteristics. Pure Ceylon Cinnamon logo is the premier trademark for finest Ceylon Cinnamon that brings the entrusted to the world. Pure Ceylon Cinnamon highlighted the main characteristics of the Ceylon Cinnamon and differentiate the Cinnamon from Cassia which is commonly available in the international market.
Sri Lanka has taken several steps to enhance and improve the spice industry. Processing centres have been upgraded to achieve international quality standards such as HACCP. More emphasis is given to improve agronomic practices by educating farmers on GAP. Small producers are encouraged to follow GMP when drying and processing these products.
More details on the sectors and products could be obtained from www.srilankabusiness.com
Ceylon Tea for Connoisseurs
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS OF CEYLON TEA
Ceylon Tea undebatably is a high quality, high cost product which is known the world over for almost a century and half. Sri Lanka, the island nation of the shape of a tear drop at the southern tip of India is world famous because of Ceylon Tea and continues to look after the livelihood of almost 2 million people (10% of the population) directly and indirectly.
Generating export revenue of US $ 1.5 billion per annum, the Sri Lanka Tea industry is vital for the economic stability, social stability and political stability of the country. The competitive advantage of Ceylon Tea lies on the following key attributes.
Hand Picked
Ceylon teas are handpicked to ensure a better selection of green leaf for the manufacture of tea – an expensive and labour intensive process, which greatly influences the final product quality.
Artisanal
Sri Lanka is a bastion of the original Orthodox tea manufacturing process that results in small batch, labour intensive production of a wide variety of leaf style or grades and ensure the best flavour.
Ethical
The Ceylon Tea Industry is well regulated with a unionized workforce that is governed by a collective labour agreement. Child labour is banned. Workers are provided a comprehensive selection of facilities from housing to healthcare.
Passion
Growing and producing Ceylon tea is a tradition and a passion for more than 150 years. Each day about 1.5 million people all over Sri Lanka, from tea pluckers to tea producers, from tea tasters to tea packers commit themselves to produce some of the finest black teas on the earth. It is a way of life.
Provenance
Ceylon Tea estates are in pristine environments and are of a small size of 200-400 ha generally with professional managers and a dedicated workforce living on the estate.
Ecological
Sri Lanka has implemented various measures to comply with environment related international conventions and agreements, including the Montreal Protocol. The usage of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant in the tea sector was halted to comply
Freshness
Teas are packaged in Sri Lanka in 2-3 weeks from harvesting, thereby preserving the freshness and inherent aroma of the tea. This is in stark contrast to teas packed in consuming markets, which can be many months old, sometimes over a year, when packaged. The goodness and quality of the tea would be lost apart from possibility of blending with other origins. The best guarantee of freshness is to buy a product packed at source (Sri Lanka)
Diversity
The seven agro-climatic regional teas namely Nuwara Eliya, Uva, Uda Pussellawa, Dimbula, Kandy, Sabaragamuwa & Ruhuna has given Ceylon Tea an unique advantage to produce teas of different flavor, aroma, strength and colour unmatched by any other origin in the world.