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Despite Covid-19 it was ‘business as usual’ for SL’s tea industry

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/20

By Steve A Morrell

Consultant Tea Board Promotions and former Director, Tea Board, Hasitha De Alwis, said Sri Lanka is better known as the origin of Ceylon Tea.

He said on his travels to many parts of the world, when asked where he was from, he replied ‘Sri Lanka’. However, people most didn’t recognize his origins, but when he said he was from the country that produced Ceylon Tea, they knew where he came from.

Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Association of Non Vessel Owning Container Carriers Agents (SLANA), he noted that the strength of the Ceylon Tea brand persisted throughout its 150 year history.

Despite the Covid-19 disruption to commercial activity, experienced worldwide, Sri Lanka’s tea industry continued in an atmosphere of ‘business as usual’, he said.

Apart from a two-week spell of recalibrating options, usual tea auctions resumed. Tea exports to routine destinations continued with no interruptions and the deserved continence of normality was swiftly restored. The cry–out system is now replaced by an electronic mode for bids for such consignments. The industry’s resilience to disruption was fully endorsed and even during the second world war, the tea industry in the country continued with no interruption, De Alwis further said.

Forex earned from tea amounted to around US$ 1.5 billion. The industry is directly responsible for the employment of about one million people. Additionally, those indirectly in employment and dependent on the industry also numbers about one million, In effect, two million persons, or about 10 percent of the population are dependent on tea, he outlined.

Leading buyer countries importing Ceylon tea include, Iraq, Kurdistan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Libya, China, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Dubai and Japan. Additionally, value added Ceylon Tea is also exported to 180 countries worldwide, including the US, he continued.

“Three hundred million kilos or 300,000 metric tons of tea are exported to these countries each year”, he elaborated.

Although, tea is not the main foreign exchange earner any more, its dependent factor to the economy is acknowledged and accepted as the net leading earner and the only indigenous commodity that is self-reliant generating valuable forex, de Alwis stressed.

Chairperson, SLANA, Harsha De Silva, in his annual address to members said although the Covid-19 pandemic adversely affected the economy over the past seven months, there is gradual recovery now.

The number of containers lying idle in the port runs into thousands. However, as requested by the authorities, members of SLANA were able to convince the respective Non Vessel Operator Common Carriers and principals to secure demurrage waivers, discounts in demurrage charges and increase the number of free days.

He said about 45 members of SLANA visited the Hambantota Terminal last year, which was well received.

He also referred to the salutary services rendered by Captain Rajendran.

Secretary, Swabha Wickramasinghe proposed the vote of thanks.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)