Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Unilever Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Agriculture & Plantation Industries have recently formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at pioneering the development of Sri Lanka’s inaugural national standard for sustainable tea production. This landmark collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to steering the Sri Lankan tea sector towards a future characterized by sustainability and ethical practices.
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The ceremonial signing of the MoU was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Honourable Mahinda Amaraweera, alongside Mr. B. L. A. J. Dharmakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, as well as esteemed representatives including the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and other notable figures within the tea industry. Unilever Sri Lanka’s ‘Ceytea’ facility stands as the primary supplier of black tea extract to the Global Pepsi-Lipton Joint Venture, catering to renowned iced tea brands such as ‘Lipton’ and ‘Brisk’. Situated in ‘Agarapathana’, this manufacturing hub has continually been at the forefront of pioneering innovation and sustainable practices in value-added tea production.
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Expressing his perspective on the collaboration, Damith Abeyratne, Supply Chain Director at Unilever Sri Lanka, remarked that the Unilever Ceytea factory in Agarapathana holds the distinction of being the largest supplier of black tea extract to the Global Pepsi-Lipton JV. According to him, this partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries marks a significant stride in the journey towards fostering sustainable sourcing practices as outlined in the Unilever Climate Action Transition Plan. Notably, this initiative holds positive implications for ‘Ceylon Tea’ as modern market demand increasingly leans towards sustainably cultivated agricultural commodities.
Further elaborating on the significance of this partnership, B.L.A.J. Dharmakeerthi, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, expressed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries is pleased to engage in this collaborative endeavor with Unilever Sri Lanka through a public-private partnership. According to him, the MoU signifies a pivotal milestone in bolstering the global competitiveness of the Ceylon Tea industry. He further added that by meticulously implementing these comprehensive measures, the country endeavors to fortify Sri Lanka’s stature as a preeminent leader in the ethical and sustainable production of tea.
Sri Lanka currently ranks among the top five global exporters of tea. The envisioned standard is poised to address three fundamental domains: firstly, mitigating environmental impact through practices conducive to regenerative agriculture and forest preservation; secondly, ensuring equitable and dignified treatment for all stakeholders within the tea industry through the adoption of ethical workplace protocols; and finally, upholding the safety and quality benchmarks of Sri Lankan tea through stringent testing and monitoring mechanisms.
