Ceylon Tea set to fight fakes, lift export value

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Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Raaj Obeysekere	AFD Country Director Yazid Bensaïd	CIRAD Legal Researcher Dr. Delphine Marie-Vivien	Plantations Minister Samantha Vidyaratne	French Ambassador to SL Rémi Lambert

EU GI certification to protect authenticity and curb global counterfeiting
€ 1 m French-backed project engages over 500 Sri Lankan stakeholders
France’s CIRAD supports legal and technical groundwork for certification
EU recognition expected to strengthen Ceylon Tea’s global premium status

Sri Lanka is moving to secure European Union Geographical Indication (GI) status for Ceylon Tea to protect its authenticity, curb counterfeiting, and boost export value, officials said yesterday. The certification, backed by a € 1 million French-funded initiative, is expected to give Ceylon Tea stronger global recognition and legal protection.

Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Raaj Obeysekere said the move was a major step toward safeguarding the authenticity of Ceylon Tea and securing higher export prices.

Addressing a forum in Colombo on “Perspectives on Geographical Indication in Sri Lanka”, Obeysekere said the GI status would also help combat counterfeits and elevate the country’s tea in global markets. “The GI status of Ceylon Tea is a powerful tool that protects its original identity, combats imitation, and positions it at a premium in international markets,” he said. “More importantly, it empowers our producers and brings long-term value to rural communities.”

The certification effort was supported by a € 1 million grant from Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

AFD Country Director Yazid Bensaïd said the agency has funded GI initiatives in nearly 20 countries worldwide, promoting trade, quality assurance, and sustainability.

“In a country where tea is the second-largest export and employs more than one million people, this initiative had to be participatory,” he said. “Over 500 stakeholders took part in defining specifications for Ceylon Tea and creating a robust control system to maintain standards.”

The technical work was led by France’s Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), which also supported Sri Lanka’s earlier GI registration for Ceylon Cinnamon. CIRAD Legal Researcher Dr. Delphine Marie-Vivien said the process relied on collaboration.

“It’s crucial to define together the rules that safeguard the name and reputation,” she said. “This work has succeeded through strong local commitment and shared motivation.”

Plantations Minister Samantha Vidyaratne said France had supported the effort since 2021. “Ceylon Tea has been synonymous with Sri Lanka for 150 years,” he said. “Given current market conditions, internationally recognised standards through GI certification are essential. We have now submitted the application and I am confident we will get it.”

French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert said the registration, once approved by the European Union, would give Ceylon Tea stronger legal protection and consumer recognition.

“Once registered, Ceylon Tea will join a global family of products whose quality and origin are celebrated,” he said. “In France, we have Champagne and Piment d’Espelette, and we are proud to share our experience with Sri Lanka.”

- Pix by Upul Abayasekara