Published: 25 May 2017

Sri Lanka presented its authentic culinary at the Annual Embassy Chef Challenge held on May 24^th at the International Trade Center in the Ronald Regan Building in Washington DC.

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Published: 01 July 2016

Recognizing the importance of ever increasing tea market in the United States, Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tea Board organized roadshows in New York and Washington to promote Ceylon Tea with special focus on Brand Promotions and distinguishing the difference in flavour, strength and aroma of the different agro climatic regional teas of Sri Lanka.

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Published: 22 May 2015

Sri Lanka as a destination for US tourists received a boost at the 7th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge gala this week at the International Trade Center in the elegant Ronald Reagan building in Washington DC.Washington DC, May 22: Sri Lanka as a destination for US tourists received a boost at the 7th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge gala this week at the International Trade Center in the elegant Ronald Reagan building in Washington DC. At this event, over a dozen Embassy Chefs displayed their culinary skills and presented their signature food preparations to compete for the Judges' Choice and People's Choice Awards. Sri Lanka, represented by the Embassy Chef Tuan Buran, presenting his Spicy Chicken Kottu received accolades and was popular among visitors. All participating Chefs were required to present one pre-prepared food item for sampling and for consumption by visitors. The Embassy food booth at the event depicted Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and attractive tourist sites. At the Sri Lankan booth, an awareness programme on Ceylon Cinnamon was conducted for visitors, participating Chefs and Judges to provide first-hand information on quality Cinnamon with sampling of “Pure Ceylon Cinnamon”. The Embassy Chef Challenge is part of a month-long celebration of international cultural awareness during the month of May conducted by the Cultural Tourism DC (CTDC). [gallery order="DESC" columns="4"]

Published: 07 May 2015

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. opened its doors for American visitors as part of Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour on May 2nd, 2015, promoting Sri Lanka as an exciting destination among prospective US tourists. Over one thousand visitors were treated to traditional Sri Lankan hospitality with a sample of Sri Lankan authentic cuisine and a peek at the country's rich cultural heritage.

[gallery order="DESC"] The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. opened its doors for American visitors as part of Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour on May 2nd, 2015, promoting Sri Lanka as an exciting destination among prospective US tourists. Over one thousand visitors were treated to traditional Sri Lankan hospitality with a sample of Sri Lankan authentic cuisine and a peek at the country's rich cultural heritage. The colorful photo exhibition of Sri Lankan touristic attractions captivated the attention of all visitors. The Sari Corner generated much excitement among the ladies and the opportunity to be clad in colourful Sri Lankan attire proved popular. Visitors tried their hand at the Sinhala and Tamil scripts, making an effort to write their names in Sri Lanka’s national languages. Passport DC is a Washington DC’s citywide international cultural awareness program that enables residents and visitors to experience and explore the international culture that flourishes alongside and beyond Washington’s renowned institutions. It is presented by Cultural Tourism DC in partnership with participating Embassies and affiliates.

Published: 08 July 2014

Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC and the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Sri Lankan pavilion at the 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show, North America’s largest food and beverage fair, which was held from June 29 to July 1, 2014 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York.“Let’s work together for an ambitious plan for doubling current market share of Ceylon tea in the US market”, stated- Sri Lanka’s new envoy to USA, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam. [image title="11" size="full" id="5987" align="center" linkto="viewer" ] Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC and the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Sri Lankan pavilion at the 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show, North America’s largest food and beverage fair, which was held from June 29 to July 1, 2014 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York. Number of leading Sri Lankan Tea exporters namely Basilur Tea, Classic Teas, Vintage Teas, Adamexpo, Tea Tang and Millennium Teas displayed an exquisite array of value added Ceylon teas under Ceylon Tea pavilion attracting many visitors. To coincide with the show, the Embassy in association with Sri Lanka Tea Board arranged number of side events to promote Ceylon Tea. The networking Dinner held on June 30 was well attended with the participation of large number US Tea Industry leaders, media personnel and key officials of the US Tea Council. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Maj. General Shavendra Silva and Ms. Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Tea Board were also associated at this event. Sri Lanka’s new envoy to the US, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam thanked the Sri Lankan exhibitors for their valuable participation at this important event with a view to gaining a strong foothold for Ceylon Tea in growing specialty tea segment in the US market. The breakfast seminar on Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World was held at the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce for the second consecutive year with large gathering including a cross section of tea connoisseurs in New York City, tea trade and media personnel. Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam delivered the keynote address at this important seminar highlighting the unique characteristics of Pure Ceylon Tea as a beverage with numerous health benefits. He appealed US tea consumer to be tea connoisseurs to admire good cup of tea in this growing speciality tea market segment. Ceylon Tea over its 147-year history has been world renowned for its excellence, exclusivity, premium quality and distinctive taste. When you consume tea, look for lion logo on Ceylon tea, which is the symbol of quality and you will not only enjoy a good cup of tea but also will be endorsing a brand of tea which is carefully hand picked and produced in socially responsible manner, he opined. Mr. Mark Jaffe, President of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, addressing the audience indicated that Sri Lanka produces and exports quality tea and requested audience to assist Sri Lankan tea industry by consuming more quality tea from Sri Lanka. A detailed presentation on Ceylon Tea was made by Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director/Promotion of Sri Lanka Tea Board. Bandula Somasiri, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy in Washington DC organized this promotional programme on Ceylon Tea. [gallery] Captions: 01. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Hemantha Perera of Basilur Tea. 02. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Idris Shabbir of Adamexpo. 03. Ambassador Kariyawasam wih Chamth Hettiarachchi and Arithta de Livera of Millanium Teas. 04. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Chaminda Karunathilake and Anton Rajendram of Tea Tang. 05. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Mahinda Karunanayake and Vinod Vijethunga of Vintage Teas. 06. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Yasas Mihinkanda of Clasic Teas. 07. Ambassador Kariyawasam with Mark Jeffe, President of New York Chamber of Commerce 08. Ambassador with guests at Networking Dinner. 09. Bandula Somasiri, Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy welcoming the guests 10. Ambassador Kariyawasam addressing the invitees at the Networking Dinner in New York 11. Ms. Premala Srikantha, Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Tea Board in conversation with the US guests.

Published: 15 July 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.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