The newly appointed minister of Plantation Industries, Mahinda Samarasinghe, said last week that he is seeking to have trade barriers removed against Ceylon Tea so that Sri Lanka’s tea exports could grow again.

Sri Lanka’s premium tea has a wide following around the world, particularly Russia, but their export is hampered by trade barriers and domestic conditions. Recently Russia has been turning away from Sri Lankan tea to shore up its own market and it has been feared Sri Lankan tea would have to seek other export markets, hence the anxious attempt to have its trade barriers removed.