On 15th March 2023, High Commission, together with Sri Lanka Tea Board organized afternoon tea at the Terrace Pavilion, at the Palace of Westminster during the visit of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to the United Kingdom. The event was a platform to promote Ceylon tea, the finest orthodox tea gifted to the world from Sri Lanka. The Rt Hon the Lord Naseby PC facilitated the event at which over 60 invitees including the Members of the Houses of Parliament, UK government officials, representatives of the UK tea trade, travel and food magazines participated.
Mr Suranaga James Perera, the tutor of the UK Tea Academy conducted a presentation on the ‘Story of Ceylon Tea’ outlining the history of Ceylon Tea introduced to the island nation by the British, as well as the competitive advantage, quality, diversity and sustainability of orthodox Ceylon Teas.
In his remarks, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry highlighted that Ceylon tea is a part of Sri Lanka- UK shared history and an important aspect of the economic partnership as one of Sri Lanka’s major exports to the UK market. He also emphasised the importance of promoting Ceylon Tea in the tea loving countries like the UK, which is also Sri Lanka’s second single largest export destination, to increase forex earnings to Sri Lanka. Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston highlighted the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and the potential for further expansion of the bilateral cooperation especially in the economic sphere.
Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena spoke of Sri Lanka-UK relationship of 75 years, founded upon shared democratic traditions and historical affinities. She added that the relationship is also built on a shared love for the game of cricket and the appreciation of excellence, which is embodied in the liquid gold; Ceylon tea. High Commissioner thanked the Sri Lanka Tea Board for sponsoring the event and the English Tea Shop and Basilur Teas for providing organic and fairtrade certified Ceylon Tea to serve the invitees.
The Rt Hon Lord Naseby spoke of Loolecondera Estate, where the first tea cultivation was planted in Sri Lanka around 150 years ago and his long-standing association with Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is well known as the “Tea Island” which could cater to the satisfaction of any tea connoisseur in the world. Sri Lanka is the third largest tea exporter to the world and the export share in the global tea market is registered at around 15%. Sri Lanka is undisputedly the leading player in the orthodox black tea industry.
