Latest IPS publication discusses SL’S tea industry over 150 years and future prospects

The declining productivity, climatic changes, high cost of production and worker shortages are some of the current threats facing Sri Lanka’s 150-year-old tea industry. Meanwhile, the changing interests of buyers, increasing health and environment concerns and stringent industry regulations and standards governing the industry also pose significant challenges as Sri Lanka competes in the international tea market.

These issues and others are explored in the latest publication by the leading economic think tank in the country, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS).

The book – ‘Sri Lanka Tea Industry in Transition: 150 Years and Beyond’ – an initiative of the former IPS Executive Director the late Dr. Saman Kelegama, was edited by IPS Director Research Dr. Nisha Arunatilake and IPS Research Fellow Dr. Janaka Wijayasiri.

It consists of articles written by experts from the tea sector and academics in Sri Lanka. The other contributors include Tea Research Institute (TRI) Director and CEO Dr. Sarath Abeysinghe, Aitken Spence PLC Executive Director Dr. Rohan Fernando, Wayamba University Senior Lecturer Dr. Bandara Gajanayake, Peradeniya University Economics Professor Prof. Prasanna Perera, TRI Senior Research Officer Dr. M.A.B. Ranatunga, Iowa University, USA Adjunct Assistant Professor Dr. H.N. Thenuwara, IPS Research Fellow Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne and TRI Principal Research Officer Dr. M.A. Wijeratne.

The areas covered in the book include, the challenges faced by the plantation and smallholder sectors, labour issues facing the industry, role of the TRI in improving the profitability of the tea sector, standards governing the tea value chain, Colombo tea auction, vulnerability of the tea industry to climate change and future of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.

This book should be of interest to the private and public stakeholders in the tea industry and others who are concerned with its recent development.