Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon) has a climate and varied elevation that allows for the production of both Camellia sinensis var. assamica and Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, with the assamica varietal holding the majority of production. Tea production is one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, and accounts for 2% of GDP, contributing over US$1.3 billion in 2021 to the economy of Sri Lanka. [1] It employs, directly or indirectly, over 1 million people, and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. In addition, tea planting by smallholders is the source of employment for thousands whilst it is also the main form of livelihood for tens of thousands of families. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of tea. In 1995, it was the world's leading exporter of tea (rather than producer), with 23% of the total world export, and Sri Lanka ranked second on tea export earnings in 2020 [2] after China. The highest production of 340 million kg was recorded in 2013, while the production in 2014 was slightly reduced to 338 million kg. [3] India has additionally guaranteed Sri Lanka a shipment of 65,000 metric tons of urea. Sri Lanka's troubled execution of an organic agriculture initiative had pushed the country perilously close to an agricultural crisis. Given the surge in global fertilizer prices, it is improbable that Sri Lanka could procure fertilizer at prevailing market rates. [4]
The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall of the country's central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high-quality tea. On the other hand, tea produced in low-elevation areas such as Matara, Galle, and Ratanapura districts with high rainfall and warm temperature has a high level of astringent properties. The tea biomass production itself is higher in low-elevation areas. Such tea is popular in the Middle East. Sri Lanka produces mostly orthodox black teas but also produces CTC, white and green teas. The two types of green tea produced are the gunpowder type and sencha. [5] The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, a British planter who arrived in 1852. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Tea planting under smallholder conditions has become popular in the 1970s. Most of Sri Lanka's export market is in the Middle East and Europe but there are also plenty of bidders worldwide for its specialty high-country-grown Nuwara Eliya teas. [5]
The total population of Sri Lanka according to the census of 1871 was 2,584,780. The 1871 demographic distribution and population in the plantation areas are given below: [13]
District | Total population | No. of estates | Estate population | % of population on estates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kandy District | 258,432 | 625 | 81,476 | 31.53 |
Badulla District | 129,000 | 130 | 15,555 | 12.06 |
Matale District | 71,724 | 111 | 13,052 | 18.2 |
Kegalle District | 105,287 | 40 | 3,790 | 3.6 |
Sabaragamuwa | 92,277 | 37 | 3,227 | 3.5 |
Nuwara Eliya District | 36,184 | 21 | 308 | 0.85 |
Kurunegala District | 207,885 | 21 | 2,393 | 1.15 |
Matara District | 143,379 | 11 | 1,072 | 0.75 |
Registered tea production in hectares and total square miles by elevation category in Sri Lanka, 1959–2000: [13]
Year | High altitude hectares | Medium altitude hectares | Low altitude hectares | Total hectares | Total square miles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | 74,581 | 66,711 | 46,101 | 187,393 | 723.5 |
1960 | 79,586 | 69,482 | 48,113 | 197,181 | 761.3 |
1961 | 76,557 | 97,521 | 63,644 | 237,722 | 917.8 |
1962 | 76,707 | 97,857 | 64,661 | 239,225 | 923.7 |
1963 | 76,157 | 95,691 | 65,862 | 237,710 | 917.8 |
1964 | 81,538 | 92,281 | 65,759 | 239,578 | 925.0 |
1965 | 87,345 | 92,806 | 60,365 | 240,516 | 928.6 |
1966 | 87,514 | 93,305 | 60,563 | 241,382 | 932.0 |
1967 | 87,520 | 93,872 | 60,945 | 242,337 | 935.7 |
1968 | 81,144 | 99,359 | 61,292 | 241,795 | 933.6 |
1969 | 81,092 | 98,675 | 61,616 | 241,383 | 932.0 |
1970 | 77,549 | 98,624 | 65,625 | 241,798 | 933.6 |
1971 | 77,936 | 98,624 | 65,625 | 242,185 | 935.1 |
1972 | 77,639 | 98,252 | 65,968 | 241,859 | 933.8 |
1973 | 77,793 | 98,165 | 66,343 | 242,301 | 935.5 |
1974 | 77,693 | 97,875 | 66,622 | 242,190 | 935.1 |
1975 | 79,337 | 98,446 | 64,099 | 241,882 | 933.9 |
1976 | 79,877 | 94,338 | 66,363 | 240,578 | 928.9 |
1977 | 79,653 | 94,835 | 67,523 | 242,011 | 934.4 |
1978 | 79,628 | 95,591 | 68,023 | 243,242 | 939.2 |
1979 | 78,614 | 97,084 | 68,401 | 244,099 | 942.5 |
1980 | 78,786 | 96,950 | 68,969 | 244,705 | 944.8 |
1981 | 78,621 | 96,853 | 69,444 | 244,918 | 945.6 |
1982 | 77,769 | 96,644 | 67,728 | 242,141 | 934.9 |
1983 | 71,959 | 90,272 | 67,834 | 230,065 | 888.3 |
1984 | 74,157 | 90,203 | 63,514 | 227,874 | 879.8 |
1985 | 74,706 | 89,175 | 67,769 | 231,650 | 894.4 |
1986 | 73,206 | 85,216 | 64,483 | 222,905 | 860.6 |
1987 | 72,773 | 84,445 | 64,280 | 221,498 | 855.2 |
1988 | 72,901 | 84,227 | 64,555 | 221,683 | 855.9 |
1989 | 73,110 | 84,062 | 64,938 | 222,110 | 857.6 |
1990 | 73,138 | 83,223 | 65,397 | 221,758 | 856.2 |
1991 | 73,331 | 82,467 | 65,893 | 221,691 | 856.0 |
1992 | 74,141 | 85,510 | 62,185 | 221,836 | 856.5 |
1994 | 51,443 | 56,155 | 79,711 | 187,309 | 723.2 |
1995 | 51,443 | 56,155 | 79,711 | 187,309 | 723.2 |
1996 | 52,272 | 56,863 | 79,836 | 188,971 | 729.6 |
1997 | 51,444 | 58,155 | 79,711 | 189,310 | 730.9 |
1998 | 51,444 | 58,155 | 79,711 | 189,310 | 730.9 |
2000 | 52,272 | 56,863 | 79,836 | 188,971 | 729.6 |
The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are the former Soviet bloc countries of the CIS, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UK, Egypt, Libya and Japan. [14]
The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are as follows, in terms of millions of kilograms and millions of pounds imported. The figures were recorded in 2000: [13]
Country | Million kilograms | Million pounds | Total Percent |
---|---|---|---|
CIS Countries | 57.6 | 127.0 | 20 |
UAE | 48.1 | 106.0 | 16.7 |
Russia | 46.1 | 101.6 | 16.01 |
Syria | 21.5 | 47.4 | 7.47 |
Turkey | 20.3 | 44.8 | 7.05 |
Iran | 12.5 | 27.6 | 4.34 |
Saudi Arabia | 11.4 | 25.1 | 3.96 |
Iraq | 11.1 | 24.5 | 3.85 |
UK | 10.2 | 22.5 | 3.54 |
Egypt | 10.1 | 22.3 | 3.51 |
Libya | 10.0 | 22.0 | 3.47 |
Japan | 8.3 | 18.3 | 2.88 |
Germany | 5.0 | 11.0 | 1.74 |
Others | 23.7 | 52.2 | 8.23 |
Total | 288 | 634.9 | 100 |
Year | Total Export Revenue of Tea (in million. US$) [15] |
---|---|
2019 | $1,346 |
2020 | $1,241 |
2021 | $1,324 |
2022 | $1,258 |
The Sri Lanka Tea Board is the legal proprietor of the lion logo of Ceylon tea. The logo has been registered as a trademark in many countries. To appear the Lion logo on a tea pack, it must meet four criteria.
The logo is considered to be a "known sign of high quality" around the world. [17] The Sri Lanka Tea board signed an agreement to sponsor Sri Lanka national cricket team and Sri Lanka women's national cricket team in their overseas tours for US$4 million for three years. [18]
The Tea Research Ordinance was enacted by Parliament in 1925 and the Tea Research Institute (TRI) was founded. It is at present the only national body in the country that generates and disseminates new research and technology related to the processing and cultivation of tea. [19]
Beginning in the early 1970s, two researchers from the National Institute of Dental Research in Bethesda, Maryland, USA conducted a series of research projects in which they arranged a longitudinal study group of a large number of Tamil tea labourers who worked at the Dunsinane and Harrow Tea Estates, 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Kandy. This landmark study was possible because the population of tea labourers were known to have never employed any conventional oral hygiene measures, thereby providing some insight into the natural history of periodontal disease in man. [20]
There are several organisations, both international and local, that promote and enforce sustainability standards and certifications about tea in Sri Lanka.
Among the international organisations that operate within Sri Lanka are Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, UTZ Certified, and Ethical Tea Partnership. The Small Organic Farmers’ Association (SOFA) is a local organisation dedicated to organic farming.
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain " or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka.
Camellia sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant family Theaceae. Its leaves, leaf buds, and stems can be used to produce tea. Common names include tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree.
Nilgiri tea is a drink made by infusing leaves of Camellia sinensis that is grown and processed in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, India. The leaves are processed as black tea, though some estates have expanded their product offerings to include leaves suitable for making green, white and oolong teas. It is generally described as being a brisk, fragrant and full-bodied tea. The region produces both rolled and crush, tear, curl tea and it is predominantly used for blending. Nilgiri tea is also used for making iced tea and instant tea.
Hatton is a major town in the Nuwara Eliya District of Central Province, Sri Lanka governed by the Hatton-Dickoya Urban Council. Hatton is a major centre of the Sri Lankan tea industry.
Nepali tea is a beverage made from the leaves of tea plants grown in Nepal. They are distinctive in appearance, aroma and taste, but are similar in many ways to tea produced in Darjeeling tea, perhaps because the eastern zones of Nepal have geography and topography similar to Darjeeling. Its relatively smaller production quantities mean that teas from Nepal are less well known than those from Darjeeling.
Ceylon tea is both the brand of tea which is produced in Sri Lanka and a historic term describing tea from that land. Ceylon tea has been described as not only a geographical descriptor but also a pillar of Sri Lankan culture, heritage, and identity. The Sri Lanka Tea Board is the legal proprietor of the Lion Logo of Ceylon tea. In 2019, Sri Lanka was the fourth largest tea producer and the third largest tea exporter in the world. The Lion Logo has been registered in 98 countries as of 2016. Ceylon tea increasingly faces rising production costs, mainly due to increasing wages, fuel prices, and utility costs.
Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka are Tamil people of Indian origin in Sri Lanka. They are also known as Malayaga Tamilar, Hill Country Tamils, Up-Country Tamils or simply Indian Tamils. They predominantly descend from workers sent from Southern India to Sri Lanka in the 19th and 20th centuries to work in coffee, tea and rubber plantations. Some also migrated on their own as merchants and as other service providers. These Tamil speakers mostly live in the central highlands, also known as the Malayakam or Hill Country, yet others are also found in major urban areas and in the Northern Province. Although they are all termed as Tamils today, some have Telugu and Malayalee origins as well as diverse South Indian caste origins. They are instrumental in the plantation sector economy of Sri Lanka. In general, socio-economically their standard of living is below that of the national average and they are described as one of the poorest and most neglected groups in Sri Lanka. In 1964 a large percentage were repatriated to India, but left a considerable number as stateless people. By the 1990s most of these had been given Sri Lankan citizenship. Most are Hindus with a minority of Christians and Muslims amongst them. There are also a small minority followers of Buddhism among them. Politically they are supportive of trade union-based political parties that have supported most of the ruling coalitions since the 1980s.
Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, trading as Dilmah, is a Sri Lankan beverage company that is headquartered in Peliyagoda, Western Province, Sri Lanka. While MJF Teas is the parent company of Dilmah, MJF Holdings is the ultimate parent. The company is best known for its brand of Ceylon tea, sold internationally. The company was founded in 1988 by Merrill J Fernando. As of 2023 Dilmah is the 10th largest tea brand in the world.
James Taylor was a Scottish tea planter who introduced tea to British Ceylon. He arrived to British Ceylon in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Delthota. Here he worked with Scottish merchant Thomas Lipton to develop the tea industry in British Ceylon. He continued to live in British Ceylon until his death.
The primary form of agriculture in Sri Lanka is rice production. Rice is cultivated during Maha and Yala seasons. Tea is cultivated in the central highlands and is a major source of foreign exchange. Vegetables, fruits and oilseed crops are also cultivated in the country. There are two Agriculture Parks abbreviated as A. Parks established by the Department of Agriculture. Out of the total population in Sri Lanka, 27.1% engages in agricultural activities. Agriculture accounted for 7.4% of the GDP in 2020.
Savumiamoorthy Arumugam Ramanathan Thondaman was a Sri Lankan politician who served as a Cabinet Minister. He was the grandson of prominent unionist Saumyamoorthi Thondaman. He was the leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, a Member of Parliament representing the Nuwara Eliya District and was an advocate for the Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka. His career as a politician spanned over 20 years, holding several ministerial portfolios in different governments. He was regarded as one of the prominent politicians from Nuwara Eliya.
Hayleys PLC, founded in 1878, is a multinational and diversified conglomerate company in Sri Lanka with business spanning over 16 sectors, catering to 70 markets worldwide. Hayleys accounts for approximately 4.2% of Sri Lanka's export income, and 3.9% of the country's tea and 4.5% of its rubber production. With over 30,000 employees, Hayley was also the first listed entity in the country to surpass annual revenue of US$1 billion in Fiscal Year 2017/18. The company operates over 16 business sectors: eco-solutions, hand protection, purification, agriculture, consumer and retail, leisure, textile manufacturing, construction materials, plantations, industrial solutions, power and energy, transportation and logistics, BPO, tea exports, projects and engineering, and investments and services. Hayleys comprises over 130 business units and subsidiaries, nine of which are publicly listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange. In addition to Sri Lanka, Hayleys today has manufacturing facilities in Indonesia and Thailand and marketing operations in Australia, India, Bangladesh, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, UK and USA and its products are sold in 80 countries.
Talawakelle is a town in Nuwara Eliya District in the Central Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. It is the centre of the Dimbula tea planting district, the largest tea growing area in Sri Lanka. It is situated on A7 Colombo-Nuwara Eliya highway. The altitude of Talawakelle is 1,198 metres (3,930 ft). Talawakelle railway station is one of the major stops of Udarata or Main railway line. The town is administered by Talawakelle-Lindula urban council.
Lion Brewery or Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC is a predominantly Sri Lankan owned and operated brewery. The company is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and its stock is part of the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index. Lion Brewery produces the highest selling beer, Lion Lager, in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
George Steuart Group of Companies is Sri Lanka's oldest mercantile establishment, having been established in 1835 during British occupation of Ceylon. It is the oldest surviving mercantile firm in the country, with a recorded history dating back to the early 19th century, and is the first on the register of companies in Sri Lanka
Jetwing Hotels Limited is a Sri Lankan hotel chain. Jetwing was founded in the 1970s by Herbert Cooray when he purchased the Blue Oceanic Hotel in Negombo from its Swedish owner Vingressor and renamed it Jetwing. Cooray founded Jetwing Travels in 1981. Jetwing Hotels' current chairman, Hiran Cooray, is the son of Herbert Cooray. Jetwing Symphony acts as the holding company for the new hotel of the Jetwing Group.
Coffee production in Sri Lanka peaked in 1870, with over 111,400 hectares being cultivated. The Dutch had experimented with coffee cultivation in the 18th century, but it was not successful until the British began large scale commercial production following the Colebrooke–Cameron Commission reforms of 1833. By 1860, the country was amongst the major coffee-producing nations in the world. Although coffee production remains a source of revenue, it is no longer a main economic sector. In 2014, the country ranked 43rd of largest coffee producers in the world.
The Nuwara Eliya Post Office is located in the centre of Nuwara Eliya and is one of the oldest post offices in Sri Lanka.
Lake Gregory sometimes also called Gregory Lake or Gregory Reservoir, is a reservoir in the heart of the tea country hill city of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was created during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. The lake and the surrounding area make up the Gregory Lake Area.