No online tea auction today

The much-anticipated, historic first-ever tea auction via an electronic platform will not be held today.

The industry was previously hopeful that the e-auction could take place today, following the mock run last evening. However, tea broking staff needed further familiarisation, along with preliminary training, which was done last night by the IT firm CICRA Solutions.

The industry – the Ceylon Tea Traders Association and the Colombo Brokers Association – will trial a fresh mock live auction today, before taking a final decision.

Industry sources said if successful, the first ever online tea auction will take place either on Saturday or Monday.