Business
SL remains second largest revenue earner for tea globally – TEA chair
Sri Lanka remains the largest revenue earner for tea in the world, second to only China. Sri Lanka has achieved this feat through relentless pursuit, breaking global barriers, innovating and taking risks, chairman, Tea Exporters Association (TEA), Ganesh Deivanayagam said.
Deivanayagam was addressing the 24th AGM of Tea on Sept. 1, on which occasion he was re-elected chairman of the body for a second term. The event was held at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. Vimalendra Sharan, FAO Resident Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Deivanayagam added, “Sri Lanka specializes in unique tea blends, helping it excel in the marketplace. The average FOB price for Sri Lankan tea is US Dollars 5.10 per kg, compared to India’s $3.58 and Kenya’s $2.60. Sri Lanka’s tea blending, packaging, flavouring and value addition are significantly ahead of its competitors.”
Excerpts from a press release issued on the occasion. ‘Niraj De Mel, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board also shared his insights saying, “Our target is to touch at least 265 million kilos of tea production this year,” while emphasizing the need for sustainability amidst price fluctuations. He also referred to discussions held with Minister of Plantation Industries, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, with regard to increasing value addition, highlighting that Sri Lanka’s ability to produce a variety of teas, due to its diverse agro-climatic growing districts, could be more fully leveraged through value addition.
“Sri Lanka produces 3.9% of the global tea supply, with China and India being the other major producers,” De Mel continued, “However, we believe that more can be done with the variety of teas produced in Sri Lanka, particularly in terms of adding value and attracting new markets. Ceylon Tea is unique and we may not be leveraging that distinction sufficiently.”
‘Vimalendra Sharan, FAO Resident Representative in Sri Lanka emphasized the need to look after the welfare of tea smallholder farmers and other tea workers at the end of tea value chain. Globally, smallholder farmers produce more tea than the large plantation companies, he said, but climate change and its impact on the tea sector is also a concerning factor when it comes to sustainability of the industry.
‘Sharan added, “Ceylon Tea is niche, it’s not mass market, and that’s where Sri Lanka can capitalize, and add value not just to the product but to the lives of producers. Also, consumers are changing their views, and the trend towards healthy options, and ethical and sustainable production, especially in more sophisticated markets, where Ceylon Tea is prized, is growing. So, the industry must focus on these areas, along with digital enablement and marketing, which is crucial for survival in the future.”
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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