Reports received by us from tea brokers, the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) and other sources indicated that, by and large, the local tea sector has been spared by the recent weather havoc.

The CTTA in their recent communications said that although Cyclone Ditwah affected parts of Sri Lanka, production, sales, and exports of tea continued without interruption. Clearly, the report said, the well established and highly coordinated industry network was fully geared to confront these issues. Production and sales continued with least disruption . While some tea growing areas in Uva, and the Central Province experienced some impact no loss in manufacturing capacity was reported.

Damage was largely confined to specific roads, resulting in temporary disruptions to transportation. Some key routes connecting plantations to the city have now been reopened and transport services are resuming normal operations. Harvesting operations are gradually returning to normal with access roads being reopened and temporary roads have been constructed to facilitate transport of green leaf to manufacturing locations.

The tea small holders we met said, although their production routine was affected, quick return to normalcy was ensured thanks to the established Tea Small Holders’ Association whose action ensured speedy return to normalcy. They reiterated production was near normal; and the dismal situation was now in a controlled position. They assured that such losses were minimal and could be recouped with minimum delay.

The CTTA further said the majority of plantations and small holder lands in the South of the island were spared cyclone damage. Harvesting, manufacturing and transportation activities are continuing as usual.

Trading activities at the Colombo Tea Auctions continue to be held although with a revised calendar. The tea auction previously set for the 1st week December has been rescheduled for the last week December. This adjustment ensures uninterrupted financial flows to the producers , including small holders, maintaining the momentum of the industry.

Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers reported a national tea sale average for November of Rs. 1137.22 ( USD3.89) which shows an increase of Rs.61.17 and USD 0.02 YOY. The total National Sale Average for the year 2025 ( to date) was recorded at Rs. 1,164.97( USD 3.88). a decline of Rs . 63.49 ( USD 0.17) against the corresponding year’s average of Rs. 1228.46 (USD4.05). The report further said all elevations recorded negative variances during the period January to November 2025 in comparison to the cumulative corresponding year of 2024 in both LKR and USD terms.

By Steve A. Morrell

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, has launched its iconic Elephant House Ice Cream in Australia, marking a bold step in the brand’s global expansion. The official unveiling took place on 4th December 2025 at the Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, where industry leaders, local distributors, and strategic partners gathered to celebrate the occasion. The launch was further honoured by the presence of Ms. Pradeepa Seram, Consul General Designate of Sri Lanka, and Ms. Cassandra Fernando, Member of the Australian Parliament, reflecting the deep and growing connections between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Elephant House is one of the highest-penetrated Sri Lankan brands among Sri Lankan communities living overseas, with a presence in 16 countries, including the Maldives, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among others.

In a significant milestone for the company, Elephant House Ice Cream is now manufactured locally in Melbourne to support wider availability in the ethnic market in Australia. The range currently available includes Vanilla, Karutha Kolomban, and Fruit and Nut in 500ml packs. This marks the first time in CCS’s 150-year legacy that Elephant House Ice Cream has been produced outside Sri Lanka, signalling a new chapter in the company’s international growth journey in collaboration with Millennium Imports Pty Ltd, it’s one of the franchise partners for Australia.

For over two decades, safety has been more than a requirement for ACL Cables PLC — it has been a responsibility. Long before fire safety standards were mandated or formally regulated, ACL introduced FireGuard cables to the Sri Lankan market, setting a benchmark for flame-retardant performance at a time when such measures were neither required nor expected.

This early decision to innovate reshaped the industry’s trajectory and what began as a voluntary commitment to safer cables grew into industry-wide adoption that has now influenced regulations and elevated expectations nationwide. Today, fire safety has a formal identity through national standards, marking an important milestone for the industry as a whole.

In line with this revolutionary innovation, ACL FireGuard cables will be compliant with the highest national fire safety standard. Moving forward, all ACL FireGuard cables will feature the distinctive purple colour that denotes the highest safety to customers and consumers.

The introduction of a national standard by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute represents national alignment with ACL’s long-standing commitment to fire safety and in delivering the same trusted quality and performance that ACL FireGuard has consistently proven for 20 years.

Significantly, this alignment does not signal a change of ACL FireGuard’s core performance factors, as the flame-retardant properties, energy efficiency and reliability that have defined ACL FireGuard for over 20 years remain unchanged.

ACL Cables PLC is justifiably proud at this national recognition of the importance of fire safety in cabling, which will now become the industry benchmark – a benchmark set by ACL two decades ago.