At the 20th Annual General Meeting of the Tea Exporters Association
2019/9/6
Ambassador's Speech
Mr. Jayantha Karunaratne, Chairman of the Tea Exporters Association (TEC),
Mr. Sanjaya Herath incoming Chairman of the TEC,
Mr. Rohan Karr, Managing Director of Hayleys Leisure Holdings,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
First of all, I would like to congratulate successful convening of the 20th Annual General Meeting of the Tea Exporters Association. It is my great pleasure and honor to be here this evening. Also, my congratulations go to the recipients of the Awards to Outstanding Tea Producers.
Japan and Sri Lanka have maintained extremely cordial and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952. Japan is deeply indebted to Sri Lanka for its helping Japan rejoin the international community after World War II at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951, where Mr. J.R. Jayawardena, then representative of this country, appealed for reconciliation, quoting the Lord Buddha’s words “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but by love.” Since then, the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka has grown from strength to strength in wide-ranging areas. Japan is committed to continuing assistance for Sri Lanka’s peace and prosperity.
What connects the peoples of Japan and Sri Lanka is, among other things, love of good tea. When ordinary Japanese people hear the name of your country, the first thing that comes up in their mind is “Ceylon Tea”. “Ceylon tea” is very famous worldwide for its exquisite taste and aroma. Japan is no exception. Many Japanese people, especially ladies, love “Ceylon Tea”. The names like Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, and Uva are well known to them, although sometimes, unfortunately, they do not know their exact location. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan regularly holds tea seminars for the Japanese public in collaboration with the Japan Tea Association, and I heard that the seminars are enormously popular among tea lovers. My wife is also a big fan of “Ceylon Tea” and, when she was here earlier this year, she bought many kinds of teas for herself and her friends.
Tea is Sri Lanka’s important export item to Japan. Statistically, Sri Lanka’s tea export to Japan accounts for around 20% of its total export to Japan. Although last year there were some difficulties related to weedicide which caused some decrease in this country’s export to Japan, as I understand, most of the issues have been addressed and the export is recovering. I commend the sincere efforts of Sri Lankan tea producers as well as tea exporting companies to maintain and upgrade the quality of “Ceylon Tea” and to abide by the international food safety requirements.
I am also deeply impressed by the Tea Exporters Association’s CSR program. In addition to its long-time contribution to the development of the tea industry of this country, the Tea Exporters Association has been offering the scholarships to schoolchildren whose parents are working in the tea industry. I would like to commend the TEA’s keen interest in furthering inclusive development of the Sri Lankan society.
On May 1st, with the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, the new era “Reiwa” commenced in Japan. The name “Reiwa”, which originates from the oldest compilation of Japanese poetry of more than 1200 years ago, literally means “beautiful harmony” and contains the meaning of “culture coming into being and flourishing when people bring their hearts and minds together in a beautiful manner”. At the inception of a new era, and embracing the spirit of the new era, with your cooperation, I wish to further strengthen the bond of friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan. I believe that the Tea Exporters Association will continue to play an important role in bridging the two counties through promoting our shared love for tea.
Last but not least, I would like to congratulate the 20th anniversary of the Tea Exporters Association and wish further success and prosperity for the TEA and all present here this evening.
Thank you very much for your kind attention