Program to popularise Lankan tea the world over

By Chanuka Mannapperuma

The Plantation Industries Ministry has decided to launch a tea propaganda programe throughout the world, plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne told the Sunday Observer

The Sri Lankan mission abroad is expected to play a major role in the programe which is expected to augment the current earnings from tea from Rs. 3 billion to Rs. 125 billion within three years.

The Minister said that due to the keen competition among tea producing countries, Sri Lanka has experienced a decline in market opportunities.

This has prompted the country to seek new markets in Eastern Europe. Restriction of market opportunities will have a direct consequence on thousands of estate employees.

"China and America are among the lucrative markets for tea, the Minister said.