Premier salutes ‘Outstanding Service’ to Tea Industry

One of Sri Lanka's top tea planters, respected tea and agricultural experts and Former Chairman of the Ceylon Planters Society, Neville F.G.P Athukorala was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the Tea industry by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 2016 Ceylon Tea Planters AGM 2016 held at the Galadari Hotel.  

The Industry which is at the bed rock of the agricultural sector of Sri Lanka is a classic example to the world where from a colonial tea agency system in Sri Lanka, the bold move was taken to set up the Colombo Tea Auction which then become the first privatised asset of the country in 1992. With this new impetus, dynamic private sector management thinking was introduced to move to the diversified business thinking of today. Ceylon Tea is the first Ethically Manufactured tea in the world and some companies have taken the higher ground of Infocus trends like Rain Forest Alliance accreditation that can highlight reforms in the industry. Athukorala commented that ' given the challenges in the industry and macro market conditions a new business model is required,' similar to other industries like apparel and cinnamon, if we are to be competitive globally. 

Respected Tea Planter and Former Chairman Ceylon Planters Society Neville Athukorala being awarded the 'Outstanding Service award' by the Prime Minister.