Global tea party among plans to mark 150 years of Ceylon Tea

The government has planned a global tea party in its missions around the world to celebrate 150 years of Ceylon tea amidst industry concerns over the limitation of 5000 acres of the lands owned/managed by the regional plantation companies (RPCs), which is a proposal in the budget.

The ‘global tea party’ would be held in 67 missions from Japan to South America selecting countries in every region and priority and potential countries to promote the product as it turns 150 years. Ceylon Tea would be served with specially flown in Maliban range of biscuits and two sweetmeats of each country.

This would be one of the numer- ous activities organized to mark the celebrations next year for the industry.

Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayaka, during a media briefing this week on the celebrations, said that they were however, not forcing the budget proposal on the industry adding that this would be carried out on a voluntary basis.

“We have told our concerns to the RPC holders and what should happen,” he said adding that they had met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in this regard.

In the meantime, the Premier has established a committee on the possible lifting of the ban on pesticide as this had left the entire industry in shock.

A World Bank funding is also in line to assist the RPCs and it was also noted that the minister is currently trying to battle it out to ensure that the cess fund money could be maintained within the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) and not sent to the Treasury, as earlier planned under a Finance Ministry announcement.

Moreover, the ministry is currently in the process of awarding the marketing campaign to an agency – a process held up due to bureaucracy, the minister said.

As part of the 150th year celebrations the tea industry would be kicking off with the unveiling of a bust of James Taylor at the SLTB next month (January); a first day cover and a series of stamps in February; a commemorative 10 rupee coin released in August; and from March to July a series of education fairs will be held in the tea producing regions.

In addition, a “Global Ceylon Tea Party” hosted by the diplo- matic missions would be held; in June a commemorative book on “The 150 Years of Ceylon Tea” will be launched; and a Grand Charity Tea Auction will be held in June the proceeds of which would be directed to the benefit of the children of the plantation workers.

Moreover, an International Tea Festival is scheduled for July with street events; an International Tea Convention in August; this will be followed by the Inter Session meeting of the FAO/IGG on Tea; a plantation Sri Lanka 2017 exhibition in August; and an award ceremony recognising workers from the best tea plucker to the tea blender and best manufacturer.

The Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy also would be upgraded as part of this year-long programme, it was announced.