Business
Sri Lanka takes helm of Asia Tea Alliance, Colombo to host 2025 Summit
Sri Lanka is set to significantly elevate its regional standing in the global tea industry by assuming the Chairmanship of the Asia Tea Alliance (ATA) for the 2026–2027 term. This strategic milestone was announced on Nov. 17, at a press conference at the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority (TSHDA).
Nimal Udugampola, Chairman of the TSHDA, will take on the role of ATA Chair, marking the first time in the Alliance’s history that a leader from a smallholder-institution will hold the position. This move not only amplifies smallholder representation across Asia’s tea value chains but also positions Sri Lanka to help shape standards, policy dialogue, trade priorities, and market access regionally.
The announcement coincides with Colombo hosting the 6th ATA Annual Meeting and the Asia International Tea Summit 2025 on November 27, 2025, at Moonwalk by Citrus, Lotus Tower. The summit, which will be convened by Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay, Managing Director of Solidaridad Asia , will be held under the theme: “Tea Reimagined: Regenerative, Resilient and Carbon Free.”.
Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathna, MP, will attend as the chief guest.
Under Sri Lanka’s stewardship, the ATA’s focus will centre on regenerative practices, climate resilience, fair value, and stronger market linkages. This is expected to give Sri Lankan producers, both large and small, a more prominent voice on the global stage.
Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay, Convenor of the Asia Tea Alliance (Solidaridad Asia) said, “ATA’s mission is to turn collaboration into competitiveness – aligning producers, smallholders and companies around verified sustainability, market access and resilience. Sri Lanka’s leadership arrives at the right moment to advance decarbonised, regenerative tea and deliver fairer value across the supply chain.”.
The TSHDA’s assumption of the chairmanship highlights tea as a shared endeavor between smallholders and plantations, aligning institutions, private companies, exporters, and policymakers around a common agenda. Smallholder tea growers contribute substantially to national outputs and rural economies.
Incoming Chair, Nimal Udugampola said, “Smallholders and plantations are both central to the future of tea. As Chair, I will prioritise regenerative practices, stronger livelihoods and premium market access, underpinned by credible standards and partnerships. Together with ATA members, we will translate sustainability and decarbonisation into tangible gains for producers and consumers alike.”
The Asia International Tea Summit 2025 will feature a high-level technical session covering transition pathways to regenerative agriculture, building climate and market resilience, expanding market access for sustainable tea, and practical enablers of decarbonisation. The Nucleus Foundation, Colombo, will host the ATA Secretariat for 2026–2027.
The ATA’s mission to foster cooperation between major tea economies, including founding members India, China, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, creates an interesting dynamic for the world-renowned Ceylon Tea brand.
The country’s leadership comes as the Sri Lankan government sets an ambitious national tea production target of 400 million kilograms by 2030, with 300 million kilograms expected from the tea smallholders. Tea industry veterans view this 400 million kg goal as highly ambitious yet doable, provided it is backed by serious, collaborative dialogue and significant investment from all stakeholders.
In response to a media inquiry, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority officials noted that the recent budget proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to increase the minimum daily wage of estate workers from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550, with an additional Rs. 200 attendance incentive (effective January 2026), holds no bearing on the TSHDA, as their workers already receive higher earnings than their counterparts on company-run tea plantations.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
By Sanath Nanayakkare
In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.
A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.
Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.
With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.
To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.
Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.
Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.
The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.
Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.
The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.
GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.
The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.
The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.
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