Sri Lanka Tea Board

What Sri Lanka Tea Board does

The Sri Lanka Tea Board is a statutory government body established in 1976 under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, functioning as the regulatory custodian and global promotional authority for Ceylon Tea rather than as a commercial revenue-generating enterprise. Its core operational responsibilities include administering the Lion Logo franchise certification (which requires tea to be exclusively packed in Sri Lanka and assessed by an independent panel of tea tasters and analytical laboratories prior to auction and export), operating the Colombo Tea Auction as the primary global trading venue for Ceylon Tea (with a digital e-auction platform introduced in April 2020), and coordinating international trade promotion across 27 Sri Lankan overseas missions and major exhibitions including Anuga, SIAL, FOODEX Japan, and the China International Tea Expo.

The Board's underlying technology consists of a static multilingual marketing website (pureceylontea.com available in English, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese), a transactional e-auction platform built in six days during COVID-19, and scientific research pipelines via the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka covering Theaflavins content and potential anti-viral properties of Ceylon Black Tea. The product surface spans Pure Ceylon Tea (black, green, and specialty teas sourced from seven agro-climatic regions), Lion Logo certification, content resources including tea recipes, and an innovation by-product line (Ceylon Tea Dyed Face Masks introduced in 2020).

The business model is non-commercial: the Board does not disclose revenue or charge direct fees to consumers, instead facilitating the export of Ceylon Tea to global markets through auction-based trading and earning franchise value through regulated certification. Customers are Sri Lankan tea exporters (Akbar Brothers, Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, Jafferjee Brothers, Basilur Tea Exports, Imperial Tea Exports, Venture Tea, Millennium Teas, Sinolan Tea, Nature Ceylon Trading, Tea Tang) and downstream international importers/distributors. GTM motion is event-driven (trade exhibitions, diplomatic missions, cultural events) combined with enterprise facilitation through Embassy Tea Promotion Units (notably the SLEMB-TPU in Beijing).

Name

Sri Lanka Tea Board

Legal name

Sri Lanka Tea Board

Website

https://pureceylontea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Sri Lanka Tea Board is a statutory government body that regulates and globally promotes Ceylon Tea, administering Lion Logo certification, operating the Colombo Tea Auction and e-auction platform, and coordinating trade exhibitions and 27 overseas missions to support Sri Lankan tea exporters and international importers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tea Industry Regulation and Promotion

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)

Keywords

• Tea industry regulation
• Ceylon Tea certification
• Tea export promotion
• Lion Logo certification
• Colombo Tea Auction

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Tea Export Revenue: Sri Lanka Tea Board facilitates the export of Ceylon Tea globally. Tea is sold through the Colombo Tea Auction to exporters who then sell to international markets. The tea industry is described as a vital sector for the progress of Sri Lanka's economy with significant revenue generation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Sri Lanka Tea Board is a statutory government body that regulates the Sri Lankan tea industry and globally promotes Ceylon Tea. Its core offerings are the Lion Logo certification program (guaranteeing tea is exclusively packed in Sri Lanka after independent tasting-panel and laboratory quality assessment) and the operation of the Colombo Tea Auction, including a digital e-auction platform. The Board also runs global promotional activities through international trade exhibitions, embassy-based Tea Promotion Units, and a multi-language marketing portal.

Product overview

The Sri Lanka Tea Board operates pureceylontea.com as the official digital platform for promoting Ceylon Tea, Sri Lanka's premium agricultural export. The core offering is Pure Ceylon Tea—a range of black, green, and specialty teas sourced from seven distinct agro-climatic regions. Quality is assured through the Lion Logo certification program, which requires exclusive Sri Lankan packing and assessment by independent tea tasters. The platform also showcases tea recipes (Chocolate Tea, Iced Tea Lemonade, Pineapple Tea Punch, Lemongrass Tea Sorbet, Tea Wine), documents tea heritage and traditions, and promotes global trade events and exhibitions. The Sri Lanka Tea Board celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2026 (1976-2026), marking five decades as custodian of the world's finest tea.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lion Logo Certification Program
• Colombo Tea Auction (including E-Auction Platform)
• Ceylon Tea Dyed Face Masks

Quantifiable outcome

• Ceylon Tea conducted its first e-auction in April 2020, becoming the highest ever in its history for high-grown teas
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Embassy of Sri Lanka in the NetherlandscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Jointly organized European Tea Growers knowledge exchange programme with Colombo Tea Traders' Association (CTTA) and Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association (CATA).
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sri Lanka Tea Board collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 27 Sri Lankan Overseas Missions for International Tea Day 2026 celebrations worldwide, promoting heritage, quality, and sustainability of Pure Ceylon Tea.
• Capital AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for promotion at inaugural Beijing-Colombo flight and launch events, including onboard tea service, passenger giveaways, and promotional counters at Beijing Daxing International Airport.
• Tea Promotion Unit of Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing (SLEMB-TPU)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTea Promotion Unit organizes tea promotions, tasting sessions, B2B meetings, and exhibitions across China to promote Ceylon Tea in the Chinese market.
• SIAL (Shanghai International Food Exhibition)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSri Lanka Tea Board organizes pavilions at SIAL Shanghai trade exhibition where Sri Lankan tea companies participate under the Board, engaging in buyer meetings and matchmaking sessions.
• FOODEX JapancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSri Lanka Tea Board organized National Ceylon Tea Pavilion at FOODEX Japan 2026, the largest food and beverage trade exhibition in Asia-Pacific, featuring 10 booths with leading tea exporters.
• Anuga Trade Exhibition (Germany)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSri Lanka Tea Board participated at Anuga 2025, world's leading trade fair for food and beverage industry in Cologne, Germany, with record-breaking attendance of over 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries.
• Colombo Tea Traders' Association (CTTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for European Tea Growers knowledge exchange programme, providing comprehensive exploration of Ceylon Tea industry.
• Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association (CATA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in European Tea Growers knowledge exchange programme, showcasing artisanal Ceylon Tea to international producers.
• SIAL CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSri Lanka Tea Board organized Ceylon Tea Pavilion at SIAL Canada 2026 (23rd edition) with support from Sri Lanka Consulate General in Toronto, featuring 3 booths.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Tata Consumer Products (Tata Tea): Major Indian-origin multinational tea company with extensive plantation operations and global brands. Comparable as a broad incumbent in national tea production and brand marketing, offering a private-sector counterpoint to the Sri Lanka Tea Board's public mandate.
• Dilmah: Sri Lankan family-owned single-origin tea brand and one of the Ceylon Tea Board's marquee licensees. Comparable as the most prominent private-sector Ceylon Tea operator globally, operating downstream of the Board's regulatory and promotional infrastructure.
• Twinings: Heritage British tea brand owned by AB Foods, sourcing and blending teas globally including Ceylon. Comparable as a globally recognized premium tea brand that depends on the same origin and quality assurance systems the Sri Lanka Tea Board oversees.

Regional players

• Tea Association of the USA: US trade association promoting tea consumption and representing the American tea industry. While operating in a consumption market rather than a production origin, it performs comparable trade-association functions including promotion, standards, and market education.
• UK Tea & Infusions Association: British trade association for the tea industry, focused on promoting tea consumption in the UK and Europe. Comparable as an industry-body peer with consumer education and trade promotion functions.

Direct peers

• International Tea Committee: International intergovernmental body that compiles global tea statistics and supports producer-consumer dialogue. Comparable as a global tea industry coordination body with shared data, standards, and trade facilitation functions.
• Tea Board of India: Government statutory body that regulates and promotes Indian tea (including Darjeeling and Assam). It is the most directly comparable national tea regulatory authority, with parallel functions in auction oversight, quality certification, and international promotion.
• Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA): Kenya's leading tea management agency overseeing smallholder tea factories, auction operations, and international marketing. Directly comparable as a major tea-producing country body with regulatory and trade promotion functions overlapping with the Sri Lanka Tea Board's mandate.
• China Tea Marketing Association: Government-affiliated industry body coordinating marketing, standards, and trade for Chinese tea. Comparable in promoting a national tea identity globally, though operating from a domestic consumption and production base rather than a pure export-promotion mandate.
• Indian Tea Association: Historic industry trade association representing Indian tea producers, plantation companies, and exporters. Comparable as a tea industry advocacy and trade body operating alongside its national regulator, with overlapping B2B promotion and standards activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SLTeaBoard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/srilankateaboard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka Tea Board