Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Thursday, 21 August 2025 04:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Celebrating its 25th anniversary with tours, cultural experiences, and a gala dinner, Empire Teas Ltd., welcomed its international partners to Sri Lanka and announced plans to launch a new venture in Spain.
During the celebrations, Global Coffee Industries CEO Jaime Borras shared plans to offer Spanish consumers a range of premium teas through a fresh collaboration with Empire. The company’s subsidiary, Empire Kenya, continues to strengthen its presence in East Africa. The anniversary program brought together guests from key markets across Europe, Asia, and Africa – many of them long-standing partners in the company’s journey. The celebrations began among Empire’s dedicated staff, recognising the skill and commitment that have powered the brand’s growth from a small team into a name trusted in over 70 countries.
Visitors were then taken into the company’s operations, with guided tours of the head office, blending facilities, and packaging floors. In the tea gardens, they saw first-hand how Ceylon leaves are plucked and processed. The itinerary also allowed them to experience Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, from the historic Galle Fort to the rhythms of traditional drummers and dancers. Founder and Managing Director Lushantha de Silva said that the company’s passion for tea shapes every blend, whether under the Hyson, Thurson, Tea Avenue, or Akina labels. “This journey belongs to our partners as much as it belongs to us,” he noted. The celebrations concluded with a grand gala dinner in Colombo, where overseas guests, local partners, and staff gathered to honour shared achievements and look ahead to future milestones.
