Established in 1976 as a fully government-owned statutory institution by an Act of Parliament, the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) comprises representatives from both private and government bodies involved in the industry, including cultivators and manufacturers, traders, exporters and plantation employees.
The Tea Board is the apex regulatory and administrative body of the Sri Lankan tea industry carrying out a wide variety of functions with respect to the industry.
This includes:
Offering advice and assistance to overseas tea buyers and tea brand owners
Offering advice and assistance to tea exporters, traders, manufacturers and cultivators
Defining, protecting and promoting the ‘Ceylon Tea’ brand
Defining, protecting and certifying the regional origins of Ceylon Tea
Monitoring and controlling the quality and purity of tea exported from Sri Lanka
Promoting the sale and consumption of Ceylon tea worldwide
Compiling and circulating market data and other information about the Sri Lanka tea industry
The functions of the Tea Board are carried out through six divisions. These include:
The Tea Commissioner’s Division
The Tea Commissioner’s Division, which carries out the Board’s regulatory functions with regards to the cultivation, manufacture and quality development of Ceylon tea. This division operates through a network of seven regional offices.
The Promotions Division
The Promotions Division, which promotes the Ceylon Tea ‘brand’ in the international as well as domestic market, supplementing and supporting the advertising and marketing efforts of name-brand owners, exporters and distributors. This division also provides sales information and market intelligence to the Sri Lankan Tea industry and undertakes retail sales and sampling among its other promotional activities. It also manages the Ceylon Tea Museum in Kandy.
The Analytical Laboratory
The Analytical Laboratory, which tests and certifies tea samples in terms of chemical, pesticide and microbial standards. The benchmark standard used by the laboratory is ISO/IEC17025.
The Export Division
The Export Division, which carries out the Board’s regulatory functions with respect to the disposal, warehousing, packaging, exportation and importation of Ceylon tea.
The Tea Tasting Unit
The Tea Tasting Unit, which examines samples provided by traders, exporters and others to ensure their quality, meets the standards necessary to qualify them for the famous Lion logo that identifies pure Ceylon tea. The unit is made up of a panel of expert independent tasters.
IT & Statistic Division
The Market Intelligence and Resources Division, which collects, collates, analyzes and disseminates statistical information concerning the market and the industry.