Bogawantalawa unveils globally recognised, one-of-a-kind teas

Bogawantalawa products

From left: Bogawatalawa Tea Brand and Business Development Executive Bhagya Yapa, Bogawatalawa Tea Sri Lankan Market Sales and Marketing GM Devinda Gunewardena, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon Director/CEO Almas Marikkar, Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Executive Director Lalith Munasighe, Asia Siyaka commodities MD/CEO Anil Cooke, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon and Tea Estates/ Metrocorp Group Chairman D.J. Ambani, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Niraj de Mel and Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Low Country Operations, Sustainability, Research and Development Director Dr. Thusitha Bandara at the Re-Launch of Bogawantalawa product range

Chief Guest Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Niraj de Mel

Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon Director-CEO Almas Marikkar

Bogawantalawa Teas recently celebrated its internationally reputed climate-positive product range’s entry into the Sri Lankan market.

A range of exclusive high-grown teas comprising the heritage collection direct from Bogawantalawa plantations in the golden valley were introduced to a distinguished audience of VIP guests including top tea industry professionals and enthusiasts, senior marketing personnel from modern and general trade, and several high-profile invitees. 

Addressing the invitees at the event, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon Director and CEO Almas Marikkar said that it was a promise beyond just single-origin Ceylon Teas and that “we are filling a void in the market by offering Sri Lankans a one-of-a-kind high-grown product that’s climate-positive certified and sourced directly from the golden valley.”

He went on to say that “local consumers now had access to a globally marketed, export quality range of teas to suit their every mood and palate.”

Chief Guest Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Niraj de Mel, in his speech congratulated the Bogawantalawa team for the initiatives taken to come-up with such a premium offering to the Sri Lankan consumer. “In mainland China, teas are sold at a much higher price than their exports, signifying that superior quality tea was enjoyed by the countrymen,” he said. 

He expressed positive remarks about the superior quality of the Kotiyagala tea, one of the premium products in the launched collection. “I was fortunate to have sampled it recently and it was quite simply superior. Please convey my compliments to your tea master,” he stated.  He went onto endorse the sustainability measures taken at Bogawantalawa and emphasised that all other tea plantation companies should focus on improving the ‘Ceylon Tea’ quality to what it was once reputed for.

The stand-up panel-discussion on sustainability and the future of the Sri Lankan Tea Industry between Director/CEO Marikkar, Director - Low Country Operations, Sustainability and Research and Development Dr. Thusitha Bandara, and Vice President - Business Development and International Marketing Narendra Weerakoon, stimulated much fervour and educated and enlightened the audience about the Climate-Positive processes from cultivation to shelf as well as the stringent sustainability measures followed at Bogawantalawa estates and the overall standards maintained.

Asia Siyaka Commodities Managing Director/CEO Anil Cooke congratulated Dr. Bandara on his sustainability achievements and taking the Bogawantalawa plantations beyond a Carbon-Neutral status together with 100% renewables. Responding to a question from the audience, Dr. Bandara, a panelist at the recently concluded Global Dubai Tea Forum, stated that Bogawantalawa Teas had invested millions of dollars in sustainability practices and that they intended to do more in the years ahead.

Dr. Bandara further stated that: “Our desire to nurture natures’ pristine gifts has made us adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture with a view to addressing the challenges of climate-change. At Bogawantalawa we are proud to extract the best from nature through ecologically friendly practices. Our commitment to sustainable cultivation has given us the edge to comply with UN SDG-2030 well in-advance. All these have made us the world's first Climate-Positive Tea Company.”

Vellayathan, a quality product of Norwood estate and currently its factory officer, was also celebrated that evening for his tireless, unstinted commitment with over 60 years’ service. 

Neelakanthi, another valued veteran at the plantations was also felicitated when she shared her lifetime experiences with the audience in connection with harvesting the perfect tealeaf.

The event also facilitated a distributor appreciation segment where Bogawantalawa Teas presented plaques as a token of appreciation to twenty top dealers and distributors from both the general and modern trade sectors around the island. 

With unmatched flavour and aroma that’s guaranteed to uplift the spirit of consumers, the exclusive collection of teas launched was comprised of the following:  Bogawantalawa EXTRA STRONG Tea was a pungent selection that made the most outstanding liquor for the popular Sri Lankan palate; 

The Bogawantalawa CLASSIC was a high-grown special blend which can be enjoyed on any occasion; 

LEGEND was a rich blend of Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings that promised to soothe and re-vitalise the consumer; An exclusive limited-edition high-grown Single Estate Tea from the esteemed KOTIYAGALA estate was on offer for the sophisticated palate of connoisseurs; The brand’s EXOTIC range carried a flavourful essence of natural fruits, flowers and spices blended to suit every consumer mood... 8 Flavours in all; ALL NATURALS were a smoothly blended collection of herbal infusions, that was crafted with carefully chosen natural herbs and spices; Suited to invigorate and re-vitalise your mind, body and spirit, Bogawantalawa ORGANIC was a collection of truly biological teas to rejuvenate the consumer; IMPERIALS was a range created with carefully selected Golden and Silver Tippy Teas sourced directly from the estate to leave palates entranced. 

MetroCorp Group and the Bogawantalawa Tea companies Chairman D.J. Ambani said: “We are proud to bring our globally accredited, award-winning teas to the local market. Sourced from the Golden Valley of Ceylon Tea and recognised as the world’s first climate-positive teas make our product excellence not only a formidable accomplishment but also a cause for national pride.”

 (General Manager - Sales and Marketing) Devinda Gunawardene said: “The local consumer market was now privileged to find these unique blends on store-shelves at all modern and general trade outlets.” Made with biodegradable tea bags and sustainable packaging, these products are delivered directly from the highland tea-estates of the Golden Valley along with 100% traceability.

The excitement that prevailed throughout the night was mixed with a flair of unprecedented response. Borne from the ideal terrain and elevation of the legendary Golden Valley along with the right micro-climatic conditions to yield the perfect tealeaf, this highly exclusive selection of teas is now afforded to Sri Lanka together with the promise of excellence that’s synonymous with the Bogawantalawa brand.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola