Pakistan joins world’s ‘largest, longest tea party’

Sri Lankan mission showcases different types of Ceylon tea while marking its 150th anniversary

ISLAMABAD: Tea is arguably Pakistan’s unofficial national drink, even though it may rank at around 24 for per capita consumption. It was no surprise then that there was a sizeable turnout at the perhaps the world’s largest and longest tea party.

To mark the 150 years of Ceylon Tea, Sri Lanka’s national brand for its tea industry, the Sri Lankan High Commission organised a tea party at a local hotel on Thursday afternoon.



“The Global Ceylon Tea Party starting in the Pacific and ending on the West coast of the Americas,” the Sri Lankan High Commissioner Maj. Gen. (Retired) Jayanath CP Lokuketagodage said while inaugurating the ceremony. He added that the event had been orchestrated such that it was held at the near universal evening tea time of 5pm where ever the event was being held over a 2- hour period.

“This global chain will result in 24 hours of cumulative celebrations for Ceylon Tea in all corners of the world.”

The high commissioner added that the Sri Lankan tea industry along with the Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA) and the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) had decided to celebrate the 150 years of Ceylon tea
with style.

“Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in Pakistan and is an important part of its culture,” Lokuketagodage said, adding, “there is no better depiction of tea than its inclusion in the shield of the State emblem of Pakistan which features a tea crop in one of its quarters.”

Pakistan, he said, was a key importer of Ceylon tea and had at one point absorbed as much as 25 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total tea exports.



“For many reasons, Pakistan’s tea trade has drifted away from Ceylon tea.  We encourage the tea trade of Pakistan to re-examine their origins which were often based on Ceylon tea to look to Sri Lanka once again as a source of supply,” he said.

Different types of Ceylon tea were also placed during the event for the public to taste, take in its aroma and see the different colours
they have.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2017.