The Sri Lanka Tea Board which is a semi Government Statutory Authority was established on the 1st January 1976.
The objectives of the Sri Lanka Tea Board are the promotion & development of tea industry in Sri Lanka. Tea Board has the following operational divisions.
· Head office - Overall planning, directing, co-ordination and control of the functions assign to the Tea Board.
· Tea commissioner's division-All matters connected with regulatory functions and development work.
· Tea promotion Bureau - All matters connected with promotion of Sri Lanka Tea (Ceylon tea) locally and abroad.
 TEA FROM SRI LANKA |
The tea sector in Sri Lanka has always been a vital component of her economy. It is also the country's largest employer providing employment both directly and indirectly to over one million people. It also contributes a significant amount to Government revenue and to the gross domestic product.
Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, acclaimed as the best tea in the world has its inherent unique characteristics and reputation running through more than a century. The influence of climatic conditions of its plantation imparts to the product a variety of flavors and aromas, synonymous with quality.
Sri lanka as the 3rd biggest tea producing country globally, has a production share of 9% in the international sphere, and one of the world's leading exporters with a share of around 19% of the global demand. The total extent of land under tea cultivation has been assessed at approximately 187,309 hectares.
Sri Lanka produces tea throughout the year and the growing areas are mainly concentrated in the central highlands and southern inland areas of the island. They are broadly grouped under these headings according to their elevations, with high growns ranging from 1200 m upwards, medium growns covering between 600 m to 1200 m. and low growns from sea level up to 600 m.
High grown teas from Sri Lanka are reputed for their taste and aroma. The two types of seasonal tea produced in these areas Dimbula and Nuwara Eliya are much sought after by blenders in tea importing countries.
Uvateas from Eastern Highlands contain unique seasonal characters and are widely used in many quality blends particular in west Germany and Japan.
The medium grown teas provide a thick coloury variety which are popular in Australia, Europe, Japan and North America.
The teas produced in law grown areas are mainly popular in Western Asia, middle Eastern countries and CIS countries. Most factories in these areas produced what are known as leafy grade of tea where the tea leaves are well twisted and can grade into long particles.
Sri Lanka mainly produced orthodox teas. In the orthodox process of production, semi dried green shoots are ruptured by rolling achieved from a rotary movement. The rolling process ruptures and twists the leaves. When tea leaves are crushed an oxidation process begins, which is followed by firing and commonly known black tea is produced.
Sri Lanka also produces tea by unorthodox method, namely Cut Tear and Curl(C.T.C). Green tea, Instant tea, Bio tea, and flavored tea are also produced in Sri Lanka.
 Marketing of Ceylon Tea |
Tea manufactured in Sri Lanka is sold by the producers through one of the following channels as approved by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
· 1. Colombo tea Auctions
· 2. Private sales
· 3. Forward contracts
· 4. Direct sales
| DIRECT SALES, PRIVATE SALES & FORWARD CONTRACTS |
To accomodate any requests from buyers for supply of tea at short notice, exporters could skip the Auctions and export tea under these arrangements. Here the buyer will have the added advantage of access to factory fresh tea.
| TEA EXPORTS FROM SRI LANKA |
Sri Lanka exports tea in different forms; in bulk, packets, bags, etc. to all parts of the world. The total tea exports from Sri Lanka rose to 234.3 mkg in 1996.
Tea in bulk represents about 55% of the total tea exports from Sri Lanka. In order to suit individual markets, bulk teas are exported in different blended forms and shipped in aluminum foil lined plywood chests, and paper sacks.
Ceylon teas are exported in a wide range of packets of many sizes- sachets,aluminum foil soft packs, box board cartons, economy packs, reed ware or basket packs, soft wood boxes, tins and canisters to suit every type of consumer demand.
Sri lanka manufactures a complete range of tea bags such as heat sealed and non heat sealed (single chamber and double chamber) bags with or without string and tags and with or without envelope.
A variety of flavored teas such as Earl gray, Mint, Lemon, Cardamon, etc. are available for export either in packet or bag form. Hot & cold soluble instant tea and bio tea are also produced for export.
| TERMS OF PAYMENTS |
Sri Lanka exporters are permitted to ship tea on any of the following terms of payment.
1. Advance payment 2. Letter of credit 3. D/P terms (document against payment) 4. D/A terms (document against acceptance)
| QUALITY CONTROL ON CEYLON TEA |
Sri Lanka is a member of FAO and other International Organizations related to tea. The country adheres to ISO 3720 with regard to maintaining the minimum standards for tea. The tea tasting unit of the Tea Board monitors pre auction and pre shipment tea for conforming to ISO 3720. The Analytical Laboratory of the Tea Board carries out tests on pre-auction and pre shipment tea samples for contamination of tea and also to determine the moisture levels as required by different markets.
| THE TEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
Established in 1925, the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka is the largest Tea Research Institute in the world.
Commonly known as TRI this institute, has been entrusted with the function of conducting scientific and technological research on all the aspects of the Tea Industry.
The institute has its headquarters in Talawakelle in central highlands. The main laboratories are situated at Talawakelle and are well equipped for basic scientific research as well as applied research as in Agriculture Chemistry, Agronomy, Entomology, Nematology, Plant Bio Chemistry, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, Plant Propagation and the technology and Bio Chemistry, of the manufacture of tea. In addition to the Central Research Organization in Talawakelle, the Institute has offices in the regions which cater to special problems arising in these planting regions.
| PROMOTION OF CEYLON TEA |
The promotion of Ceylon tea by the Tea promotion Bureau of Sri Lanka Tea Board falls into three categories.
1.Uninational promotion and participation at Trade fairs.
The main objective of uninational promotion is to promote Ceylon tea against teas sourced from other Origins.
2.Brand promotion linked to Lion Logo .
Brand promotion campaigns linked to the Lion Logo are undertaken in identified target markets where specified brands are promoted with emphasis on the Lion symbol.
3.Generic tea promotions
Sri Lanka Tea Board is a member of Tea Councils of UK, USA, Germany and Canada. The generic promotion where tea is promoted against other beverages is carried out through Tea
| Offices and Institutions of the Sri Lanka Tea Board |
HEAD OFFICE
Postal address:
574, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
P.O.Box 1750, Colombo. Sri Lanka.
Cables&: Tea Board, Colombo.
Telephone: 582236, 583687, 587386
Telex: 21304 TBOARD CE
Fax: 589132
E_Mail:
tboard@sri.lanka.net
tbureau@sri.lanka.net
ceylont@sri.lanka.net | TEA COMMISSIONER'S DIVISION
TEA COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Postal address: Galle Road, Colombo 3.
Sri Lanka.
P.O.Box 363, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: 301058, 564827, 564823
TEA EXPORTS BRANCH
Postal address: 654,Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: 584844,584845,502485.
TEA PROMOTION DIVISION - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE.
Postal Address: 574/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
P.O.Box 295, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Cables: Propaganda, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: 582121,582122,583343.
Telex: 21304, TBOARD CE
Fax: 587341.
E_Mail:
tboard@sri.lanka.net
tbureau@sri.lanka.net
ceylont@sri.lanka.net
CEYLON TEA BUREAU - ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
Postal Address: 2, Sharia Champollion, Cairo
P.O.Box 794,Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.
Telephone: 5751015
Telex: 23375 LANKA UN
Fax: 202-5788343
CEYLON TEA BUREAU - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Postal Address: Sheik Rashi Building, Apt.501,Deira,Dubai
P.O.Box 5195, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Telephone: 227667
Fax: 009714,284486
CEYLON TEA BUREAU - RUSSIA / C.I.S.
Postal Address: 3rd Floor - Room: 322
No.2,Leninsky Prospekt,117936.
Moscow, B49,Russia.
Telophone: 007(095) 2391132,007(503) 2306854
Fax: 007(095) 2391788
Telex: (064) 413140 LANKA SU
INSTITUTIONS CONNECTED WITH TEA INDUSTRY
TEA RESEARCH BOARD OF SRI LANKA
TEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE-DIRECOTR'S OFFICE
Postal Address: St.Coombs,talawakelle,Sri Lanka.
Cables: Research Talawakelle,Sri Lanka.
Telephone: 05122601, 0528385, 0528386
JANATHA ESTATES DEVELOPMENT BOARD
55/75, Vaxhall Lane, Colombo 2,Sri Lanka.
SRI LANKA STATE PLANTATIONS CORPORATION
55/75,Vaxhall Lane, Colombo 2,Sri Lanka.
TEA SMALL HOLDINGS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
70, Parliament Road, Pelawatta, Battaramulla,Sri Lanka.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PLANTATION MANAGEMENT
M.D.H.Jayawardena Mawatha, Rathuwila Watte, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.
THE PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION OF CEYLON
32,Vajira Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka.
THE COLOMBO TEA TRADERS'ASSOCIATION
P.O.Box 274, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo2, Sri Lanka.
THE COLOMBO BROKERS' ASSOCIATION
210, De Sarem Place, Colombo 10. Sri Lanka
THE TEA EXPORTORS ASSOCIATION
50 Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka
PLANTATION RE-STRUCTURING UNIT (MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES)
2nd Floor,-Unity Plaza,2 Galle Road,Colombo 4.
Tel: 502002,502006- Fax: 941-502006
THE CEYLON TEA MUSEUM
A monument to courage
"... The tea fields of Ceylon are as true a monument to courage as is the lion at Waterloo."
The adventure began 132 years ago. Today, as another millennium approaches, the epic saga of Ceylon Tea continues to enthrall the world, and challenge those who follow in the footsteps of the indomitable pioneer planters...
No less a personality than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle paid tribute to the spirit of these men when he said: "Not often is it that men have the heart, when their one great industry is withered, to rear up in a few years another as rich to take its place, and the tea fields of Ceylon are as true a monument to courage as is the lion at Waterloo."
Sadly, Sri Lanka, whose economy is still dependent on the legacy of these pioneers, has no monument to their achievements. Many of the valuable artifacts that testify to the innovation, ingenuity and perseverance of the men and women who built the world's greatest tea industry, are now lost for all time.
It is to redress this, and to preserve for future generations the history, traditions and values of Ceylon Tea, that the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Janatha Estates Development Board, along with the Tea Research Institute have joined forces with key institutions in the industry to establish the Ceylon Tea Museum, at Hantane, Kandy.
Primary objectives
To exhibit machinery, memorabilia, documents, books, pictures and objects of historical value to the tea industry.
To promote tea as a global beverage thereby enhancing tea exports.
To publish and distribute materials for the enrichment of the tea industry.
To exploit the tourism potential of the tea industry, strengthening Sri Lanka's image as the world's leading producer.
To educate Sri Lanka's youth on the history of the tea industry and contribution to the economy.
The Location
The Hantane Tea Factory is located four miles from Kandy. It is served by a motorable road that circles the factory providing easy access. The factory has adequate parking facilities for cars and tourist coaches.
The factory building consists of four floors. The ground floor will accommodate heavy machinery; examples of the withering process will be displayed on the first floor while the first floor will consist of a library with facilities for Audio-Visual presentations, and also the James Taylor Museum. The third floor will be allocated to sales outlets while the entire fourth floor will be converted to a deluxe restaurant.
The grounds surrounding the factory are to be landscaped with different varieties of tea and also flowering trees of Sri Lanka.
Kandy is a mandatory stop on virtually every tourist itinerary, and the location of the Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane makes sound economic sense. It will also enhance the attraction of the hill country to visitors. Additionally, its proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Loolecondera, where tea was first grown commercially, make Hantane the perfect location.
The exhibits
The typical exhibits at the museum would include items such as:
A "Little Giant" tea roller - a hand operated roller over 100 years old
A Rustom Hornsby 3 cylinder vertical engine over 60 years old
A hot bulb engine also over 100 years old
The oldest known packet of Ceylon Tea, 56 years old and still in its original packing
A handwritten Visiting Agent's report dated 25 June 1895, and many more items depicting the evolution of Ceylon's greatest industry.
The promoters
Sri Lanka Tea Board
The Secretary General of the Planters' Association of Ceylon
Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka
Tea Smallholdings Development Authority
Colombo Tea Traders' Association
Colombo Brokers' Association
Private Tea Factory Owners' Association
How you can help
When fully operational, the Ceylon Tea Museum will be a commercially viable enterprise, and will be self-financing. However, its establishment and maintenance in the first year of operation, will cost approximately Rs. 46 million. We expect to raise these funds largely through private sector contributions locally.
All contributions will be acknowledged on a special plaque which will be displayed at the museum.
Donations: All cheques to be drawn in favour of "Ceylon Tea Museum", and sent to Sri Lanka Tea Board, 574, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
Exhibits: Items of factory machinery, field implements, old books, records, documents or any other artifacts pertaining to the Ceylon Tea Industry may be handed over to The Tea Board, 574 Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
The great survivor.
The rise of Ceylon's tea plantations over the grave of the coffee industry in 1869, followed years of experimental planting. The first tea seeds and young tea plants were brought to the island from the Botanical Gardens in Calcutta in 1839.
James Taylor of Loolecondera - considered the father of the tea industry in Ceylon, first planted tea commercially in 1867, two years before the coffee blight. It was fortunate that the tea grew well for many coffee pioneers were able to turn the death of the coffee plantations into the birth of an even greater and enduring industry - tea.
The first shipment of tea in 1872, five years later, was only two small packs containing 23 pounds valued at 68 Rupees - a literal drop in the ocean compared to the 280 million kilograms the country exported last year.
Today, Sri Lanka is the largest exporter of tea in the world. We also have the distinction of conducting the largest tea auction in the world which has been in operation since 1883.
Significantly, the industry has weathered more challenging adversaries than the blight which destroyed the coffee plantations 129 years ago. Tea has withstood political, economic and social upheavals, and is once again under private sector stewardship.
The story of the tea industry is a valuable part of our history that we are committed to preserve.
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