The story of Ceylon Tea is deeply woven into the economic and social history of Sri Lanka. Since its emergence as a major commercial crop in the 1880s, tea has grown to become one of the country’s most distinguished and internationally acclaimed exports. For generations, the tea industry has played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing significantly to export earnings, employment, regional development and the country’s international identity.
As the industry expanded rapidly and Ceylon Tea gained recognition in markets across the world, the need for a comprehensive institutional framework to regulate and guide the growing industry became increasingly important. The cultivation, manufacture, processing, marketing and export of tea required effective oversight to safeguard quality, maintain industry standards and protect the reputation that Ceylon Tea had earned in the global marketplace.
In response to these evolving needs, the Sri Lanka Tea Board was established in 1976 as the apex regulatory and administrative authority of the Sri Lankan tea industry. The Board brought together representatives of both the Government and the private sector, reflecting the diverse interests and expertise of the industry, including tea cultivators and manufacturers, traders and exporters, and plantation employees.
Since its establishment, the Sri Lanka Tea Board has played a central role in regulating, developing and promoting the national tea industry, while safeguarding the quality, authenticity and global reputation of Ceylon Tea. Through its regulatory, promotional and developmental functions, the Board continues to work in partnership with industry stakeholders to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Sri Lanka’s tea industry and to preserve Ceylon Tea’s distinguished position in the global tea trade.
Today, Ceylon Tea remains not merely an export commodity, but a product that embodies Sri Lanka’s heritage, craftsmanship and tradition, carrying the name and identity of the island to consumers across the world.
