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 |
Total | 1,044,168 | 996 | 123,654 | 11.84 |
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 |
Year | High altitude hectares | Medium altitude hectares | Low altitude hectares | Total hectares | Total square miles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Year | High altitude hectares | Medium altitude hectares | Low altitude hectares | Total hectares | Total square miles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Percent of total |
---|---|---|---|
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 [15] (in million. US$) |
---|---|
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.
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.
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.
Pussellawa Sinhala: පුස්සැල්ලාව. Tamil: புசல்லாவ, is a l town in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. It is located along the A5 road between Gampola and Nuwara Eliya.
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.
The Grand Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, that was built in the style of an Elizabethan-era manor house. The hotel has 154 rooms, including three presidential suites, four junior suites, including a governor's suite that have been maintained to preserve the traditional design. The Grand Hotel has a number of restaurants, bars and a billiards room.
Ambewela is a village, and a hill station, located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. The area is also sometimes called "Little New Zealand". The town is approximately 17 km (11 mi) south-east of the district capital Nuwara Eliya. Ambewela is also a service centre for the New Galway tea planting district.
Holmwood Estate is a tea estate in the Agrapatana region in Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province of Sri Lanka. The estate was established by Henry St. George Caulfield in 1878 and was named after Holmwood, a parish in Surrey, England. It comprises two Divisions: Holmwood and Sutton Divisions. Holmwood Division is the major division with a larger population. The Estate has about 392 workers.
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.
S. Udeiappan Palani Alagan Digambaran is a Sri Lankan politician and government minister. He is the leader of the National Union of Workers (NUW), a member of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG).
Walapane is a town located in Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. It is a high country area with many green mountains. It was called Wathtumulla in the past. The name Watumulla derived from the former tea factory which was located in the heart of the Walapane town and now demolished since the production of Wattumulla Plantation declined. Walapane is administered by the government of *Sri Lanka through *Walapane Divisional Secretariat.
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
Uda Pussellawa Railway (UPR) or Udupussallawa Railway (Sinhala: උඩුපුස්සැල්ලාව දුම්රිය මාර්ගය Uḍupussællāwa Dumriya Mārgaya) was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway line that existed in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) between 1903 and 1948. The line connected Nanu Oya railway station with Ragala via Nuwara Eliya.
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.
H Cannappen Velusingham Velupillai was a Ceylonese trade unionist, politician and poet.
Mudiyanselage Andrew Dissanayake was a Ceylonese businessman, landholder and politician.