Business
Bulk tea exports show marginal growth while tea bags, packeted tea show decrease
According to Forbes & Walker comments released on December 22, Sri Lanka tea production for the month of November 2020 totalled 24.8 M/kgs, showing an increase of 0.8 M/kgs vis-à-vis 24.0 M/kgs of November 2019.
Meanwhile, High and Mid Growns have shown a decrease, whilst Low Growns show a fairly significant increase compared to the corresponding month of 2019 and largely reflects a recovery after a drought induced decline in 2019.
January-November 2020 cumulative production totalled 249.9 M/kgs recording a deficit of 28.3 M/kgs vis-à-vis 278.2 M/kgs of January-November 2019. On a cumulative basis, all elevations have shown a decrease, with Low Growns showing the highest deficit.
CTC Cumulative production, January-November 2020 totalled 21.37 M/kgs, recording a 0.23 M/kgs deficit vis-à-vis 21.60 M/kgs of January-November 2019. On a cumulative basis, High Growns have recorded a fairly significant gain YOY, whilst Mediums show a marginal decrease. Low Growns, however, have recorded a fairly substantial decrease.
Tea Exports for the month of November 2020 totalled 20.2 M/kgs, showing a decrease of 1.7 M/kgs vis-à-vis 21.9 M/kgs of November 2019. When analysing the main categories of exports Bulk Tea shows a marginal growth, whilst Tea Bags and Packeted Tea have shown a decrease compared to the corresponding period of 2019. Total revenue of Rs. 17.77 B of November 2020 shows a marginal decrease compared to Rs. 18.29 B of November 2019. This has resulted in the FOB value of Rs. 879.01 (USD 4.78) of November 2020 showing a gain of Rs. 46.31 vis-à-vis
Rs. 832.70 (USD 4.65) of November 2019.
January-November 2020 cumulative exports totalled 241.6 M/kgs showing a deficit of 27.3 M/kgs vis-à-vis 268.9 M/kgs of January-November 2019. Here again, all main categories of exports show a decrease compared to the corresponding period of 2019, with Packeted tea showing a fairly substantial decrease. Meanwhile, revenue too of Rs. 209.02 B has recorded a decrease of Rs. 12.43 B vis-à-vis Rs. 221.45 B of January-November 2019. Total FOB value, however, of Rs. 865.03 (USD 4.71) shows a gain of Rs. 41.52 when compared to Rs. 823.51 (USD 4.63) of January-November 2019.
Turkey has retained the No. 1 position followed by Iraq and Russia with Iran occupying the 4th position. Although Iran occupies the 4th position, a fairly substantial decrease in imports is recorded during January-November 2020 compared to the corresponding period of 2019. Other noteworthy importers are China, Azerbaijan and Chile. Meanwhile, destinations such as Libya, Japan, UAE and Syria have recorded a fairly significant decrease in imports during the period under review. Forbes & Walker said.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
-
News6 days agoNamal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
-
Latest News5 days agoTharanga creates history with Diamond League crown in Brussels
-
News5 days agoDispute which triggered listed company director being detained at BIA resolved
-
Features4 days agoAfter the parade: What a traffic OIC’s walk-out tells us
-
Opinion7 days agoIn Memory of Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda
-
Editorial6 days agoPower vs Equality
-
Editorial4 days agoArrests as theatre
-
Latest News6 days agoSLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested by CIABOC
