Ceylon Tea Archives

March 27, 2024

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The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Art Festival in collaboration with Dilmah Ceylon Tea opened its inaugural edition in Kandy announcing the launch of the Future Writers Program. Dedicated to nurturing the creative talents of young individuals, this competition underscores the festival’s commitment to fostering youth development and grooming the creative thinking, enhancing its focus on empowering the next generation.

Incorporating platforms such as these serves to underscore the cultural fabric of a society, thereby augmenting the intrinsic value of a nation. Such initiatives foster a sense of purpose among the younger generation, instilling pride and potentially mitigating the phenomenon of brain drain. The platform further establishes an ecosystem that actively engages and fosters creative entrepreneurial endeavors and projects, thereby cultivating a vibrant and dynamic creative culture.

Commenting on the launch of the program, Ajai Vir Singh, Founder and Creator, Ceylon Literary Festival stated: “We are thrilled to introduce our Future Writers Program as an extension of Ceylon Literary Festival. This initiative is not just about discovering talent; it’s about nurturing and fostering a literary legacy that transcends generations. This is the beginning of an investment in the future of creativity, innovation, and cultural enrichment for Sri Lanka. We encourage all students to submit their stories and be part of the program which not only awards the winner but all participants as well.”

The youth and next generation being the mirror of the nation require these vital opportunities to equip them to divulge into creative fields beyond the ordinary. The introduction of the Future Writers Program supports and amplifies this with its core effort to cultivate and showcase the creative endeavors of youth. By encouraging participation from individuals aged 15 to 29, the competition aims to provide a platform for emerging writers to explore their literary prowess.

Participants are invited to submit short stories on themes such as “Murder at the Festival” or “The Girl at the Workshop,” incorporating the cultural significance of tea into their narratives. Submissions are accepted until April 8, 2024, and will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges led by renowned author Ashok Ferrey.

Further highlighting the partnership for the program, Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman, Dilmah Ceylon Tea stated: “Dilmah is proud to play a crucial role in fostering the development of youth within the creative industry. This is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of imaginative storytelling, where passion for writing merges with the captivating essence of tea. Being a part of these initiatives can unleash your creative potential, help craft narratives that not only enthrall and engage but also highlight one’s talent for weaving ordinary elements into extraordinary tales.”

The winning entry will be awarded a cash prize of 100,000 and will have the unique opportunity for mentorship with a celebrated author. Additionally, the winning story will be featured on the Ceylon Literary & Art Festival platforms, offering widespread recognition and exposure. Shortlisted participants will also benefit from attending a Writer’s Workshop conducted by an esteemed author panel.

This competition further reinforces the festival’s dedication to fostering creativity and providing opportunities for youth to engage with and contribute to the cultural landscape of Sri Lanka. Applications can be submitted by 8th April 2024 to www.ceylonliteraryfestival.com.

The main partners promoting this creative platform to showcase and make it one of the leading platforms is the title partner HSBC along with our other partners Mastercard, The British Council, Galle Face Hotel, Hotel Suisse Kandy, Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Innovate Books, Goethe Institut, Wijeya Newspapers, Emerging Media, Curado, Hardtalk, Sarasavi, Zelus and Acorn. Together, these partnerships embody a shared vision of celebrating and nurturing culture and creativity in Sri Lanka.

January 16, 2024

A game-changing world-first in the sphere of packaging for bulk teas by Sri Lanka’s St. Regis Packaging can potentially enhance the environmental credentials of Ceylon Tea on the global stage.

The inventor of the Rigid-T-sack that replaced plywood chests in the bulk packaging of large leaf teas in 1996, St. Regis has received the world’s first ZeroCarbon® Product Certification in its category for the Company’s Rigid-T-Sacks as well as for Multiwall paper sacks used for the packaging of Leafy and Grainy Teas.

The certification means that Ceylon Tea packaged in these two types of St. Regis sacks for the Colombo Tea Auction or for export has offset the carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) of the packaging, reducing the overall product carbon footprint of the teas.

Significantly, St. Regis Packaging currently supplies sacks for over half the teas sold at the weekly Colombo Tea Auction, and this industry-first achievement could be a catalyst for greater interest in carbon footprint reduction for tea, the Company’s Director Mr Ajith Fernando said.

He said approximately six million packages are auctioned at the Colombo Tea Auction annually and this would be an ideal opportunity for Colombo to become the first tea auction in the world to start offering teas in carbon neutral packages.

“St. Regis Packaging has many firsts to its name, and we are proud to be the first company in the world to offer carbon-neutral bulk tea packaging with two of our flagship products,” Mr Fernando said. “The benefit of having their carbon emissions compensated for can be passed-on to our customers, positively impacting their own carbon footprints. These certifications therefore represent an important value-addition for our customers, at no extra cost to them.”

St. Regis retained the expert services of The Climate and Conservation Consortium (CCC), one of South Asia’s leading Integrated Sustainability Solutions Providers, to assess the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of the Company’s Multiwall Paper Sacks and Rigid-T-Sacks. This comprehensive Product Carbon Footprint study encompassed all applicable emissions during the ‘Cradle to Gate’ lifecycle stages of the selected types of tea sacks, including Raw Material Extraction, Upstream and Downstream Transportation, and Manufacturing.

Following the assessment, St. Regis retired a matching number of Carbon Credits from a registered project to bring the total Carbon Footprint of a selected volume of sacks down to net zero. The assessment results and offsetting process were then independently verified by The Sustainable Future Group (SFG), the first Validation and Verification Body (VVB) in South Asia to be accredited by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to award ISO 14064-1, 14064-2, 14067, and 14065. Post verification, SFG awarded St. Regis their proprietary ZeroCarbon® Certification for the two packaging products.

In 1996, St. Regis changed a 130-year-old tradition by inventing and patenting the Rigid-T- Sack, enabling tea producers to replace the costly and environmentally unfriendly plywood chests used up to that point in the packaging of large leaf teas.

Besides inventing the Rigid-T-Sack, St. Regis has many other firsts to its name, including becoming the world’s first manufacturer of bulk packaging for tea to receive the ISO22000 and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certifications, the first manufacturer to receive the Sri Lanka Standard (SLS) certification for both Rigid-T-Sacks and Multiwall Paper Sacks, the first manufacturer of bulk packaging for tea to be certified compliant with FSSC22000, the highest food packaging certification in the world, and the first manufacturer in the sector to receive a carbon footprint assessment certificate.

St. Regis states the company wants to encourage the Tea Industry to maintain a “Green bottom line” and work towards making pure Ceylon Tea the first carbon neutral tea produced in the world, thereby maintaining and catering to a niche market. This is also in keeping with Sri Lanka’s Green economic policy, the company said.

“We believe that the quality of a corporate bottom line matters and that having a Green Bottom line covered with O₂ is better than a bottom line marred by CO₂,” Director Ajith Fernando added.

December 27, 2023

U.H.E. Exports Pvt Ltd, the proud parent company of Halpé Tea, is delighted to announce its triumphant success at the 31st Annual Export Awards, held recently. The esteemed event witnessed Halpé Tea securing three prestigious awards, solidifying its position as a leader in the tea and tea products sector.

Eranda Aberathna, Managing Director of U.H.E. Exports Pvt Ltd, expressed gratitude and pride in the company’s achievements, saying, “We are immensely honored to receive these prestigious awards. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our clients. These awards reinforce our commitment to delivering exceptional tea experiences to our customers worldwide.”

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Gold Award in the Tea and Tea Products Sector (Medium Category) to Halpé Tea. This recognition not only underscores the exceptional quality of their teas but also acknowledges the dedication and innovation embedded in the crafting process. In addition to the Gold Award, Halpé Tea was honored with the esteemed Late Deshabandhu Patrick Amarasinghe Challenge Trophy. This trophy, named after Late Deshabandhu Patrick Amarasinghe, Founder President of the NCE, symbolizes his interests of SME Export Oriented Enterprises & commitment to the Export Development of the country. This trophy is awarded by the Chamber to the exporter who gets the Best SME Exporter of the Year Award. A crowning achievement for U.H.E. Exports Pvt Ltd was being named the Most Outstanding SME Exporter of the Year 2023, which is granted to the entity achieving the best overall performance in the sector. This accolade reflects their prowess in navigating the global market and their dedication to being a driving force in Sri Lanka’s export sector.

In a rigorous evaluation process, the 31st Annual Export Awards recognized excellence in various sectors, with a keen focus on innovation, quality, and contribution to the national export landscape. The awards serve as a benchmark for industry leaders, highlighting companies that demonstrate outstanding performance and adherence to international standards. The significance of these accolades lies not only in honoring the achievements of companies like Halpé Tea but also in encouraging a culture of continuous improvement within the industry. The comprehensive evaluation criteria encompassed financial performance, export performance, market/product development, value addition, effective management efforts, implementation of quality management/environment protection systems, branding, innovation, research and development activities and human resources.

Halpé Tea’s success is not only a celebration of their accomplishments but also a recognition of the journey from the lush tea fields to the refined cups enjoyed by tea enthusiasts globally. Their handcrafted blends and attention to detail set them apart, and these awards validate the passion and craftsmanship infused into every Halpé Tea product.

As they celebrate this momentous achievement, they extend their heartfelt thanks to their loyal clientele, stakeholders, and the wider community for being integral parts of their success story. They look forward to continuing this journey of excellence, innovation, and commitment to quality.

December 15, 2023

What is Agrotourism?

Agrotourism is a form of tourism that focuses on showcasing and experiencing rural life, agriculture, local culture, and heritage ^{(Vishwanath et al., 2022)}. It involves activities such as farm visits, agricultural demonstrations, local food tasting, and interacting with farmers and rural communities. Agrotourism allows tourists to have an authentic and immersive experience of the agricultural sector, generating extra income for farmers and rural people while benefiting the local economy and creating opportunities for cultural exchange. In today’s modern tourism business, the agrotourism sector has gained significant attention and importance. This growth can be attributed to several factors.

Firstly, there is a growing demand among travelers for unique and authentic experiences. Agrotourism provides an opportunity for tourists to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life and connect with nature, experience traditional farming practices and understand the importance of sustainable agriculture.

Secondly, the rise of eco-tourism and sustainable travel has contributed to the popularity of agrotourism. Travelers are now more conscious of their environmental footprint and seek tourism experiences that have minimal impact on the environment and support local communities. Agrotourism fits perfectly within this framework, as it promotes sustainable farming practices, supports local farmers, and offers a chance to learn about agriculture’s relationship with the environment.

Finally, the economic impact of agrotourism cannot be overlooked ^{(Mardiany et al., 2020)}. It provides an additional source of income for farmers and rural communities, helping to diversify their revenue streams and reduce their reliance on traditional agricultural practices. Additionally, the agrotourism sector has the potential to contribute to rural development by creating job opportunities and stimulating local businesses, such as accommodation providers and local food producers .

What measures been taken in Sri Lanka to Promote Agrotourism?

In Sri Lanka, several measures have been taken to promote agrotourism and harness its potential for economic development ^{(Gunasekara & Silva, 2021)}.

These measures include:

The establishment of agrotourism destinations and infrastructure: The government has identified potential agrotourism sites and developed them into tourist attractions by providing necessary facilities and infrastructure such as transportation, accommodation, and information centers. Some examples are the development of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress as agrotourism destinations.
Capacity building and training: The government has invested in training programs and workshops to educate local farmers and communities about agrotourism practices, sustainable farming techniques, and hospitality management. These training programs aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in agrotourism, thus improving the quality of experiences offered to tourists.
Marketing and promotion: Sri Lanka has actively marketed itself as an agrotourism destination, both domestically and internationally. The government has collaborated with tourism boards, travel agencies, and local communities to create promotional campaigns highlighting the unique agrotourism experiences available in Sri Lanka, such as tea plantation tours, spice garden visits, and organic farm stays.
Government support and incentives: The government has implemented policies and provided financial incentives to encourage the development of agrotourism. These include tax benefits, low-interest loans, and grants for agrotourism projects.
Public-private partnerships: The government has worked closely with private sector stakeholders, including farmers and local communities, to foster collaboration and joint initiatives in agrotourism development. These partnerships have resulted in the establishment of agrotourism cooperatives, joint marketing efforts, and shared resources, thereby creating a more sustainable and inclusive agrotourism industry. The development of agrotourism has also gained support from various academic studies and research findings.
Environmental conservation and sustainability: The government has implemented measures to ensure that agrotourism activities are carried out in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. These measures include the promotion of organic farming practices, the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and the implementation of waste management systems.

Sri Lanka Tea Plantations

What are the best places to experience Agrotourism in Sri Lanka for Tourists?

Some of the best places to experience agrotourism in Sri Lanka for tourists include:

The Nuwara Eliya region, known for its tea plantations and scenic landscapes. Tourists can visit tea estates, learn about the tea-making process, and even participate in tea plucking activities.
The Kandy district, which is famous for its spice gardens. Tourists can explore the aromatic spice gardens, learn about different spices and their cultivation, and even participate in cooking demonstrations using fresh spices.
The Sigiriya region, where visitors can experience organic farming practices and learn about traditional agricultural methods. They can also visit local farms and participate in activities such as planting and harvesting crops, animal feeding, and traditional cooking demonstrations.
The Dambulla region, known for its fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. Tourists can visit these farms, learn about organic farming practices, and have the opportunity to pick fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Haputale region, which is known for its scenic beauty and terraced vegetable farms. Tourists can visit these farms, learn about sustainable farming practices, and enjoy the breathtaking views while engaging in activities like vegetable harvesting and farm-to-table experiences. Additionally, the Ella region is another popular destination for agrotourism in Sri Lanka.
The Ella region is another popular destination for agrotourism in Sri Lanka. Tourists can explore the tea plantations in Ella, visit local organic farms, and participate in activities such as tea plucking and learning about the tea making process.
Galle, located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, is another great destination for agrotourism. Tourists can visit the cinnamon plantations in Galle, learn about the cultivation and processing of cinnamon, and even participate in activities like cinnamon peeling and spice blending.
Anuradhapura, an ancient city in Sri Lanka, is also a great place for agrotourism. Tourists can explore the ancient irrigation systems and reservoirs, visit rice fields and learn about traditional rice cultivation methods, and even participate in paddy field viewing.
The Polonnaruwa region, known for its paddy fields and ancient agricultural practices. Tourists can visit the paddy fields in Polonnaruwa, learn about ancient irrigation systems and agricultural techniques, and even participate in activities such as rice planting and harvesting.
Mirissa beach, known for its beautiful coastline and seafood. Similarly the southern low grown tea region, particularly in areas like Matara and Galle, offers tourists the opportunity to visit tea estates, learn about tea cultivation and processing, and even taste freshly brewed tea. Silver tips and Golden tips are some of the popular tea varieties produced in this region.

As a country with a rich agricultural heritage, Sri Lanka offers a multitude of agrotourism opportunities for visitors to explore and engage with. Experiences such as spend a night closer to paddy field, on a tea garden, or in a rural farm stay can provide tourists with a unique and immersive experience of the local culture and way of life. There are many cultures to discover through agrotourism in Sri Lanka, such as the ancient irrigation systems and traditional farming techniques, different cooking methods and traditional crafts like pottery and basket weaving.

Tourists love to mingle with local communities to learn about their agricultural practices and traditions, as well as to support local economies. These experiences are not only educational but also contribute to the preservation and promotion of traditional agricultural practices.

As promoters of tourism it is vital for travel agencies and tour operators to promote and include agrotourism destinations in Sri Lanka in their packages and at the same time the service providers, accommodation providers need to ensure that they provide authentic agrotourism experiences and incorporate cultural resources.

Agrotourism could be a unique opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase its agricultural heritage, promote rural development, and contribute to sustainable tourism practices and to position as a premier agrotourism destination in the world. Even though the demand is growing, it is important to ensure that agrotourism in Sri Lanka is developed and managed sustainably, with proper considerations for the environment and the well-being of local communities .

In conclusion, agrotourism in Sri Lanka provides an opportunity for tourists to engage with local communities, experience traditional agricultural practices, and support local economies.

References

Gunasekara, I., & Silva, S. (2021, September 30). Agro-Tourist Satisfaction in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to Tourist Socio-Demographic and Destination Characteristics. https://scite.ai/reports/10.35912/joste.v3i1.1230
Mardiany, M., Kusuma, Z., Rayes, M L., & Hakim, L. (2020, June 29). Indigenous Knowledge-based Agrotourism in the Dayak Kenyah Community in Pampang Village, Samarida, East Kalimantan. https://scite.ai/reports/10.21463/jmic.2020.09.1.07
Vishwanath, H., Suresha, S V., Manjuprakash, .., & Savitha, C M. (2022, November 5). A Study on Challenges and Suggestions of Farmers to Promote Agro Tourism Centres in Karnataka State in India. https://scite.ai/reports/10.9734/ijecc/2022/v12i111419

September 21, 2022

Tea Producers Can Access Real-Time Data, Value & Grade Teas and View Business Intelligence Reports

Colombo, SRI LANKA – OKLO Private Limited, a leading Sri Lankan solutions provider for the Ceylon Tea e-Auction platform, recently added an all-new segment for factories in its SmartAuction platform. This new feature provides over 650 factories with the chance to value and grade teas within the system, printing final catalogues, real-time and post-sales reports, and viewing their tea variants being auctioned live. For the first time, a live auction participation option has been instigated for all stakeholders and factories in the country’s 150 years of auctioning history. The availability of this platform would now allow the tea-producing community to benefit from newly added or enhanced functionalities similar to other stakeholders.

With tea being the most significant commodity to be auctioned in Sri Lanka, it is also one of the most significant contributors to the local economy. As Ceylon Tea has already garnered a worldwide name, the branding has enabled Sri Lanka to be placed on the map as an influential tea-producing entity. At the same time, this functionality can also be utilised by other organisations that market commodities such as rubber, spices and coconut. Being present via an e-Auction paves the way for more competition among buyers and sellers.

Regarding the inclusion of their new feature, OKLO Private Limited, Managing Director – Thilanka Withanage stated, “Since the Colombo Tea e-Auction went live on the OKLO SmartAuction platform, the team has been releasing advanced features and functionalities to all stakeholders. With the release of the latest version, all Sri Lankan tea factories can now have complete access to the platform, similar to all other stakeholders. Our objective is to maintain consistency in the face of tech innovation and uplift our nation’s ascent in the digital realm. We will continue utilising our nation’s talents and build cutting-edge, practical, impactful products that will set innovative strides.”

Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association, Vice Chairman – Pasindu Pieris shared his views on the newly enhanced platform. He said, “This state-of-the-art solution from OKLO provided to the tea sector amalgamates all aspects related to dispatching tea from the factory to the point where it is sold at the auction through competitive bidding. Now, we can see our tea variants being sold at the auction right from our factory premises. The platform offers transparency and traceability while improving efficiency throughout the supply chain.”

OKLO is a Sri Lankan Technology Solutions Provider with current solution offerings in the Travel and Trading sectors. It was founded in 2011 and has been expanded to become one of the key players in the Travel IT sector, catering to some of the largest blue-chip companies such as Walkers Tours, Cinnamon Hotels, Jetwing Travels etc.

For more information, email info@okloworld.com, call +94777320383, or visit www.okloworld.com.

November 3, 2021

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou participated in the Guangzhou Fair, from 27-30 November 2021, organized by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government and promoted ‘Ceylon tea’ and tourism, with the cooperation of the agent of the Sri Lanka ‘Tea Talk’ company based in China.

The Consulate designed and decorated the Sri Lanka stall with vibrant pictures showcasing Sri Lanka’ culture, tourism, tea and some handicrafts.

A tv was playing tourism and ‘Ceylon tea’ videos throughout the exposition, while the Consulate staff manned and explained about the wonders of Sri Lanka, the uniqueness and varieties of Ceylon tea. Hot cups of ‘Ceylon tea’ were served to visitors who came to the stall and packets of tea, were bought by visitors, to savor at home.

The Guangzhou Fair, had been organized since 1993 had been an important platform for regional cooperation with friendly regions and cities from China and aboard. The Consulate had participated in the fair 3 times since 2014, with agents of prominent tea companies of Sri Lanka, based in China.

There were over hundred local and international enterprises, including 13 consulates based in China, which participated in the exposition with 45,000 visitors to the fair.

July 21, 2021

Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 2021 – Consistent with the growing trend for healthy and organic food and beverages and in line with contemporary and busy lifestyles, Rolanta Tea introduces a range of tea-infused herbal drinks catered to the local market. The pandemic has instilled the need for healthy lifestyles and the importance of a strong immune system. Considering these insights, Rolanta Tea has introduced a range of organic, herbal drinks infused with tea and other potent ingredients that have scientific evidence of boosting a healthy body and mind.

The range of herbal drinks consists of four (04) products each with its unique blend of ingredients and health benefits. These include a Cinnamon Herbal Drink, Organic Ginger Black Tea, Organic Moringa and Organic Herb Well Herbal drink that is made with a combination of herbs. Each product has been carefully formulated in a manner that yields maximum physical and emotional health benefits to the user and can be simply prepared and consumed by dropping in an individual sachet in a cup of hot boiling water for 3-5mins. Besides the functional benefits of each product that promotes physical wellbeing from improving the digestive system, improving blood circulation, boosting the immune system, the products promote a range of emotional benefits too. These include lowering stress levels and tensions, soothing the mind and body enabling the user to relax and rejuvenate, – inside and out.

Lead by tea blender and entrepreneur, Ridma Ayantha, Rolanta is an innovative brand that believes that the organic tea market is driven by the supply of quality organic herbal drink products. In this regard, the company makes substantial investments in technologies required for Research & Development (R&D) that fuel New Product Developments (NPD) and formulation of novel and exciting products that cater to the contemporary needs and lifestyles of the global health-conscious consumer.

Ridma Ayantha

“Incorporating the principles of Ayurveda and ancient healing remedies, at Rolanta we invest time and resources in understanding our consumer, their needs, wants and lifestyle changes. Using these insights and technology, we delve into understanding the efficacies and benefits of unique herbs, and other ingredients to develop innovative blends that harness the benefits of these ingredients. Globally, we believe the growth of the organic herbal drink market is at a nascent stage with immense growth potential. Therefore, our vision is to develop and position Rolanta as a reliable, quality Sri Lankan origin organic herbal brand catering to a global-minded health-conscious consumer” Said Ridma Ayantha, Director/Chairman – Ridma Products (Pvt) Ltd.

Conceptualised in 2012, Rolanta is one of Sri Lanka’s largest organic tea and herbal drink manufacturing companies catering to the diverse needs of the local and international markets for pure Ceylon tea and tea-infused products. Rolanta Organic Herbal drinks are produced in their own, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and R&D centre located in Mathugama, Sri Lanka. Since its inception, the company has grown exponentially within a span of 7 years establishing its presence in Sri Lanka with island-wide distribution as well as an international presence in the USA, Europe, Japan, Russia, and the Maldives. Locally, Rolanta is available for purchase through main supermarkets, pharmacies, organic outlets and through its Facebook page. Rolanta tea and tea-infused herbal drinks are certified USDA Organic and its manufacturing facilities adhere to internationally accredited ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 standards.

May 13, 2020

Boil the kettle, fill the pot, and raise a celebratory cup. Sri Lanka’s renowned tea industry has just dodged a potentially devastating COVID-19 shutdown by swapping 19th-century tradition with 21st-century digital innovation.
A cloud-based auction system keeps buyers and sellers socially distanced, safeguards a 150-year-old industry, and protects the livelihoods of almost two million people

Picking, sorting, processing, and grading tea leaves make up the fabric of life in Sri Lanka. And ensuring that people around the globe get their daily cups of chai, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, or Orange Pekoe is crucial to the local economy and jobs.

To maintain all the above, this multimillion-dollar industry relies on the Colombo Tea Auction – a weekly event that has been held in the national capital under rules and procedures largely unchanged since they were first laid down in the 1880s and 1890s.

Until now, putting lots of fine Ceylon tea under the hammer and up for export was a noisy and very physical affair. Bidding echoed in rapid-fire across the three theater-like auction rooms that were often packed with hundreds of brokers and officials, many of them jotting down numbers of paper sheets.

This ritual ended in mid-March, not because it was regarded as old-fashioned or inefficient, but as a matter of health and safety.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country, it was impossible for our traditional tea auction to follow social distancing and other health guidelines,” recalls Jayantha Edirisinghe, Sri Lanka’s Tea Commissioner.

The auction schedule was suspended for two weeks. With a potentially devastating economic shock looming, the Sri Lanka Tea Board and its Tea Traders Association turned to a local Microsoft partner, CICRA Solutions.

The company had previously scored successes for the industry by automating its complex tea brokering practices and by modernizing the Tea Board’s back-office system. Now, with the pandemic worsening, the time had come for a digital transformation of the whole auction process.

Within just 6 days, CICRA Solutions team was able to digitally transform the auction process by creating an e-auction platform to enable business continuity.

With some guidance from Microsoft’s experts, CICRA Solutions moved ahead with a two-step approach. Eventually, it would develop an advanced e-auction platform for long-term use. But in a crucial first stage, it quickly developed a minimum viable product (MVP) solution that re-established business continuity.

Buying and selling are now conducted safely and securely via Microsoft Azure, with traders bidding virtually from their homes or offices. The first e-auction went off well with high demand.

“It was quite a challenging project for all of us,” says Buddhika Gayan, Engineering Manager at CICRA Solutions. “We had only six days to complete the product and manage the full development lifecycle.” Because of restrictions on movement around Colombo, “all team members worked and contributed from home, which was made easy by Microsoft Teams.”

Putting it all together

“Azure SQL services were used for database hosting. Therefore, it was much easier to do the configurations while doing speedy development. It was a plus point that we could scale up the servers as per the performance requirements,” Gayan says.

“For the application server, we used Azure App Services. UAT and production environments are managed in different deployment slots. As there was a requirement to restrict the access, we used Azure CDN and the geo-filtering features. During the live operation, we monitored system performance using Application Insights. It was very useful to take necessary actions related to product scaling.

“Our long-term objective is to further develop this solution into a world-class tea and commodity auction solution with AI and analytics and then market that globally.”

Stakeholders on all sides of the tea industry have praised CICRA Solutions for deploying its impactful solution so quickly.

Anil Cooke, who heads a task force at the Ceylon Tea Trade Association, says the e-auction solution “has transformed the lives of almost two million people in the Sri Lanka tea industry by sheltering them from the consequences of a COVID-19 shutdown.”

“The e-auction, with all its competitiveness and nuances, was launched in less than a week through herculean effort, dedication, strong collaboration between stakeholders, and very smart and tireless work by CICRA,” he says.

Eashan Perera, who is Deputy General Manager at Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, described the switch as “an absolute blessing” that “has injected much-needed cash flows into the plantation sector at a time when the pandemic has crippled many (other) industries.”

“In these challenging times, members from our partner network are building innovative solutions to support the economy and business community,” notes Hasitha Abeywardena, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka, and Maldives. “Tea is the second largest export earning of Sri Lanka exports. The eAuction platform that CICRA Solutions built during our ‘Combat COVID-19 Challenge for ISVs’ took them less than six days and is helping the Sri Lankan Tea Industry transition and adapt to a new normal in a post-pandemic world.”

January 21, 2018

In their first take on Russia’s Ceylon Tea ban episode, Moscow’s private media says that Russian asbestos producers could have been impacted if Lankan ban on asbestos was not cancelled.

The Russian language L!FENEWS (life.ru) service, in an in depth analysis, quoting a Russian asbestos expert, said that long term negative effects on Russian producers would take place if Lankan ban was not lifted.

The Russian news site and 24-hour TV channel Life is privately owned and the TV channel is estimated to have an audience of 30 million.

The news report by Eldar Ahmadiyev also notes that retail prices of tea in Russian markets were not impacted due to Ceylon Tea ban and boosted by holidays in Russia at that time–“A 250 Gram package of black tea is sold at a price of 350-370 Roubles.” It adds that the top Russian asbestos producer “Uralasbest” exported asbestos to Sri Lanka but with increasingly declining volumes by 2016. It also refers to the meeting between (HE) Ambassador of the Russian Federation Yury Materiy and Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bthiudeen on 9 January in Colombo, where HA Ambassador called for trade renewal with Sri Lanka.

The Russian language news report is available at life.ru/1079044

January 11, 2018

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (right) and (HE) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Yury Materiy (left) meet in Colombo on 9 January

Older Posts

HSBC Ceylon Literary & Art Festival Collaborates with Dilmah Ceylon Tea to Launch Youth Future Writers Program

St. Regis helps reduce Ceylon Tea Carbon Footprint with world’s first carbon-neutral bulk tea packaging

Halpé Tea Celebrates Triple Triumph at the 31st National Export Awards

Making the Best of Agrotourism in Sri Lanka

What is Agrotourism?

What measures been taken in Sri Lanka to Promote Agrotourism?

What are the best places to experience Agrotourism in Sri Lanka for Tourists?

References

OKLO adds new feature to Ceylon Tea SmartAuction platform

Sri Lanka promotes Ceylon tea and tourism at the 29th Guangzhou Fair

Rolanta launches 100% organic collection of teas in Sri Lanka

Brewing up change under COVID-19: Transforming how tea is bought and sold in Sri Lanka

“Russian asbestos annoys Ceylon Tea”- Moscow media

Russia loving Ceylon Tea again, wants renewed Sri Lanka trade