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
Continuing its vigorous nation branding campaign in the US, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC embarked on yet another initiative on January 31 by hosting a glittering evening for over 100 guests who were keen to experience different cultures of the world, from the Greater Washington area. The primary objective of this well attended function jointly organized by the Embassy and the International Club DC was to promote Sri Lanka as a travel destination.Ambassador Wickramasuriya highlights latest economic and political developments in Sri LankaWashington, Jan 31, 2013: Continuing its vigorous nation branding campaign in the US, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC embarked on yet another initiative on January 31 by hosting a glittering evening for over 100 guests who were keen to experience different cultures of the world, from the Greater Washington area.
The primary objective of this well attended function jointly organized by the Embassy and the International Club DC was to promote Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Attendance of a large US audience was utilized as an ideal platform to showcase and promote Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s unique gift to the World.
The colorful evening reflecting the warm hospitality of Sri Lanka was much appreciated by the invitees. They profusely thanked the Ambassador for hosting this wonderful event that would generate much interest among prospective travelers to Sri Lanka. The audience was comprised of diverse personalities including professionals, business leaders and media personnel.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya opined that with the dawn of peace, many opportunities have emerged for international business in Sri Lanka. The Embassy always harnesses this conducive environment to promote real business opportunities in Sri Lanka amongst US corporate leaders.
Speaking on Sri Lanka’s excellent bilateral relations with the US, Ambassador Wickramasuriya informed that the contacts between the people of the US and Sri Lanka are more than two centuries, although diplomatic ties are only 65 years old. Sri Lanka has been a long standing friend of the US holding deeply shared values and democratic traditions, Ambassador Wickramasuriya stated.
Elaborating on current economic and political developments in Sri Lanka, Ambassador Wickramasuriya highlighted the accelerated programmes of reconciliation, rehabilitation and redevelopment undertaken under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He further added that the US is Sri Lanka’s largest export market with an annual turnover of over USD 2 Billion. In terms of Foreign Direct Investment and Tourism, the US is a very important partner for Sri Lanka.
Since this special event was to highlight what Sri Lanka could offer to US visitors, Ambassador Wickramasuriya invited the wide and representative gathering to explore Sri Lanka and experience its unique characteristics. He described the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka - mountains shrouded in mist, cascading waterfalls and golden beaches together with its rich and ancient cultural heritage. Sri Lanka’s emergence as the ideal location for surfing was also featured.
The tourism industry is booming in Sri Lanka and reached 1,000,000 tourist arrivals in 2012 surpassing all expectations. In this context, Ambassador cited the many references described by reputed travel writers including the latest Lonely Planet Guide which declared Sri Lanka as the best travel destination in 2013. This vibrant and dynamic sector has also attracted leading US hoteliers such as Marriott International, Starwood- Sheraton, intimated the Ambassador.
The enthusiasm of the evening was very evident with the spontaneous response received from the invitees to join the special flight which would be organized by the Embassy for the ceremonial opening of Mattala International Airport in southern Sri Lanka on March 18, 2013.
The evening drew to a close with the visitors savouring sumptuous authentic Sri Lanka culinary spread specially prepared by the Embassy chef.
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Captions:
01. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya addressing the gathering – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional event at the Sri Lanka Residence, Washington, Jan 31, 2013 .
02. A section of the gathering at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional event
03. Ceylon Tea, Sri Lanka’s gift to the World was also introduced to the guests during the Tourism Promotional event at the Sri Lanka Residence, Washington
04. Guests enjoying authentic Sri Lankan cuisines - Sri Lanka Residence, Washington, Jan 31, 2013
05. Ambassador Wickramasuriya with the guests - Sri Lanka Residence, Washington, Jan 31, 2013
06. Ambassador Wickramasuriya with the guests - Sri Lanka Residence, Washington, Jan 31, 2013
07. Guests watching Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional videos on large LED display - Sri Lanka Residence, Washington, Jan 31, 2013
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya addressing the business forum on Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World at the Washington Hilton on September 20, 2012
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Assistant US Trade Representative Michael Delaney speaking at the business forum on Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World organized at the Washington Hilton on September 20th, 2012
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The panellists of the business forum “Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World” (from left ) Mr. John Cullicot, President of Walters Bay Company, Mr. Jayantha Keragala, Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders Association, Mr. Michael Delaney, Assistant US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lankan Envoy to the United States, Ms. Janki Kuruppu, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Mr. Joe Simrany, President of the US Tea Council at the Washington Hilton on September 20th, 2012
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Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya with Mr. Graham Kilshaw, President Tea Magazine at the Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World- a business forum organized at the Washington Hilton on September 20th, 2012
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