The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries and Unilever Sri Lanka have joined hands in a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Sri Lanka’s first national and internationally recognized standard for sustainable tea production. This groundbreaking initiative reflects a shared commitment to drive the Sri Lankan tea industry towards a more sustainable and ethical future, encompassing environmental stewardship, fair labor practices, and product quality assurance.
The MoU signing ceremony, attended by Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, along with key officials from the Sri Lanka Tea Board and tea industry representatives, marks a pivotal moment in advancing the country’s tea sector. Unilever Sri Lanka’s ‘Ceytea’ factory, a major supplier of black tea extract to global brands like ‘Lipton’ and ‘Brisk,’ stands at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in value-added tea production, making this collaboration particularly significant.
According to Damith Abeyratne, Supply Chain Director of Unilever Sri Lanka, this partnership aligns with Unilever’s Climate Action Transition Plan, focusing on sustainable sourcing of agricultural raw materials. The initiative is set to benefit the ‘Ceylon Tea’ industry by meeting global demands for sustainably farmed produce, thereby enhancing Sri Lanka’s reputation as a leader in ethical and sustainable tea production.
B.L.A.J. Dharmakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, emphasized the importance of this public-private partnership in strengthening the global competitiveness of the Ceylon Tea industry. The newly established standard will address key areas such as environmental impact reduction, ethical workplace practices for tea industry workers, and stringent quality assurance measures, positioning Sri Lanka among the top players in the global tea market.