Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show which was held from June 30 to July 2, 2013 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York. The Fancy Food Show has been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage exhibition since 1955. This prestigious event featured 180,000 products from 2400 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions.Washington, July 15, 2013: Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show which was held from June 30 to July 2, 2013 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York. The Fancy Food Show has been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage exhibition since 1955. This prestigious event featured 180,000 products from 2400 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions. Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Basilur Tea Export (Pvt) Ltd, HVA Foods PLC, Ceylon Tea Land (Pvt) Ltd displayed an exquisite array of value added Ceylon teas. The booth of the Sri Lanka Tea Board which showcased the unique characteristics of Sri Lankan Tea Industry attracted many visitors. Imperial Teas, Millennium Teas and Tealia also presented their range of products at the exhibition. Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Earl Gunaskara, Sr Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya and Director General of Sri Lanka Tea Board. Damitha Narangoda graced the occasion and thanked the Sri Lankan exhibitors for their valuable participation at this important event with a view of gaining a strong foothold in the US market. The networking Dinner held on July 1 was well attended with the participation of a large number US Tea Industry leaders, media personnel and key officials of the US Tea Council. Sri Lankan exhibitors were deeply appreciative of this important networking session jointly hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Ambassador Palitha Kohana, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations was also associated with the other Sri Lankan dignitaries. On July 02, the Embassy organized a breakfast seminar on Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World at the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. This seminar was attended by a cross section of tea connoisseurs in New York City including media personnel. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya delivering the keynote address at this important seminar highlighted the unique characteristics of Pure Ceylon Tea as a beverage with numerous health benefits. "Ceylon Tea over its 145 year history has been world renowned for its excellence, exclusivity, premium quality and distinctive taste", the Ambassador opined. Ceylon Tea has a share of 18 % of the Global Tea export market earning over US 1.5 Billion, said the Ambassador. A detailed presentation on Ceylon Tea was made by Priyanka Liyanage of Sri Lanka Tea Board Bandula Somasiri, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy was instrumental in organizing the promotional programme on Ceylon Tea during the 2013 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. Watch Video on YouTube Channel: Breakfast Seminar on Ceylon Tea in New York Captions: 01. Ambassador Wickramasuriya delivers the keynote speech at the Breakfast Tea Seminar – July 2, 2013, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce , NYC 02. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya with Minister Commercial of the Embassy of Sri Lanka Mr. Bandula Somasiri at the Summer Fancy Food Show, July 1, 2013, NYC 03. (From left) Mr. Bandula Somasiri (Minister Commercial – Embassy of Sri Lanka), Hon. Earl Gunaskara (Deputy Minister – Plantations Industries, Sri Lanka),Mr. Damitha Narangoda (Director General of Sri Lanka Tea Board), Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya at the at the Breakfast Tea Seminar – July 2, 2013, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce , NYC 04. A visitor tastes Ceylon tea at the Summer Fancy Food Show, July 1, 2013, NYC