SL Reaffirms Sustainability Commitment at International Tea Day in China 📈

• Core Message: Plantations and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratne reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to building a sustainable, community-focused tea industry at the International Tea Day Conference in Nanning, China. • Strategic Focus: The future of the industry must balance economic growth with social responsibility, environmental management, and the empowerment of tea-growing communities. The Minister framed tea as a form of "soft diplomacy" capable of strengthening international cultural and economic partnerships. • Socio-Economic Impact: The tea industry remains a critical livelihood source for millions of Sri Lankans, including plantation workers, smallholder farmers, and exporters. The government is actively implementing welfare, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure programs to support these communities. • Industry Modernisation: To counter global economic and environmental pressures, Sri Lanka is focusing on sector modernisation through innovation, value addition, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices to maintain the 150-year-old global reputation of Ceylon Tea. • International Collaboration: The conference gathered key representatives from major tea-producing nations (including Kenya, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and the UN FAO, highlighting the importance of global cooperation to ensure fair and sustainable value chains.