Sri Lanka’s UK mission celebrates ‘Global Ceylon Tea Party’
View(s):A large number of representatives from the UK government authorities, international organisations, non-governmental bodies and private sector businesses joined the UK-edition of the Global Ceylon Tea Party hosted by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London recently.
Guests enjoying the evening with Ceylon tea.
In her welcome address, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Amari Wijewardene highlighted the role played by James Taylor, the Scottish planter, who pioneered commercial plantation of teas in the island 150 years ago and the overall contribution made by the British in the subsequent development of the tea industry, according to a media release issued by the Sri Lankan mission.
Addressing the gathering, Ian Gibbs, Chairman of the International Tea Committee, stated Sri Lanka had been an active player within the global tea industry, making a substantial contribution as a leading producer and exporter of black teas. He also said that Sri Lanka had been in the forefront as key exporter of value-added teas to the world.
Honorary Sri Lanka Tea Ambassador in the UK, Mike Bunston also spoke on this occasion, presenting a detailed account of the history and the gradual evolution of the Ceylon tea industry over the last 150 years. He also pointed out that the industry should take effective measures in addressing the challenges it had encountered in the current times if Sri Lanka was to retain its prominent status in the global tea industry.
Speaking on behalf of Finlays Colombo Ltd, one of the sponsors of the event, Sathyani Rajapaksha, Procurement Manager of the company, stated that Finlays was very happy to join the tea party in London as there was a long-established relationship between the UK and the Ceylon tea industry.
Guests enjoyed the evening with a wide variety of snacks and sweets and freshly brewed Ceylon teas, representing the seven agro-climatic tea growing regions in the island.