Embassy of Sri Lanka Washington DC Press Release  

Let’s work together for an ambitious plan for doubling current market share of Ceylon tea in the US market”, stated- Sri Lanka’s new envoy to USA, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam.

Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC and the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Sri Lankan pavilion at the 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show, North America’s largest food and beverage fair, which was held from June 29 to July 1, 2014 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York.

Number of leading Sri Lankan Tea exporters namely Basilur Tea, Classic Teas, Vintage Teas, Adamexpo, Tea Tang and Millennium Teas displayed an exquisite array of value added Ceylon teas under Ceylon Tea pavilion attracting many visitors.

To coincide with the show, the Embassy in association with Sri Lanka Tea Board arranged number of side events to promote Ceylon Tea. The networking Dinner held on June 30 was well attended with the participation of large number US Tea Industry leaders, media personnel and key officials of the US Tea Council. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Maj. General Shavendra Silva and Ms. Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Tea Board were also associated at this event.

Sri Lanka’s new envoy to the US, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam thanked the Sri Lankan exhibitors for their valuable participation at this important event with a view to gaining a strong foothold for Ceylon Tea in growing specialty tea segment in the US market.

The breakfast seminar on Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World was held at the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce for the second consecutive year with large gathering including a cross section of tea connoisseurs in New York City, tea trade and media personnel.

Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam delivered the keynote address at this important seminar highlighting the unique characteristics of Pure Ceylon Tea as a beverage with numerous health benefits. He appealed US tea consumer to be tea connoisseurs to admire good cup of tea in this growing speciality tea market segment. Ceylon Tea over its 147-year history has been world renowned for its excellence, exclusivity, premium quality and distinctive taste. When you consume tea, look for lion logo on Ceylon tea, which is the symbol of quality and you will not only enjoy a good cup of tea but also will be endorsing a brand of tea which is carefully hand picked and produced in socially responsible manner, he opined.

Mr. Mark Jaffe, President of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, addressing the audience indicated that Sri Lanka produces and exports quality tea and requested audience to assist Sri Lankan tea industry by consuming more quality tea from Sri Lanka.

A detailed presentation on Ceylon Tea was made by Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director/Promotion of Sri Lanka Tea Board.

Bandula Somasiri, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy in Washington DC organized this promotional programme on Ceylon Tea.

Pictures:

Ambassador Kariyawasam with Hemantha Perera of Basilur Tea. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Idris Shabbir of Adamexpo. Ambassador Kariyawasam wih Chamth Hettiarachchi and Arithta de Livera of Millanium Teas. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Chaminda Karunathilake and Anton Rajendram of Tea Tang. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Mahinda Karunanayake and Vinod Vijethunga of Vintage Teas. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Yasas Mihinkanda of Clasic Teas. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Mark Jeffe, President of New York Chamber of Commerce Ambassador with guests at Networking Dinner. Bandula Somasiri, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy welcoming the guests Ambassador Kariyawasam addressing the invitees at the Networking Dinner in New York Ms. Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Tea Board in conversation with the US guests.