By: Staff Writer
April 28, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) anticipates completing the full implementation of Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Ceylon Tea by the end of 2025, according to SLTB Chairperson Rajpal Obeyesekere.
Speaking to a local leading weekend newspaper the Morning, Obeyesekere explained that the application for GI certification was submitted around September 2024, immediately following Sri Lanka’s presidential election.
Notably, while Obeyesekere’s appointment under the new NPP Government took effect on 4 October 2024, the initial groundwork for GI certification was laid by the previous SLTB administration under then President Ranil Wickremasighe government, industry sources confirmed.
Following the submission, the European Commission (EC) requested additional clarifications, which were provided by the SLTB in March 2025. Obeyesekere noted that the Commission’s final report on Ceylon Tea’s GI certification is expected by September 2025.
“At present, the technical and legal experts are confident that the EC will deliver the report within six months of our submission in March. We are preparing parallelly by completing the necessary local processes so that we can move to full implementation as soon as we receive the green light,” Obeyesekere said.
He revealed that about seven local tasks are currently underway, in collaboration with French partners, to streamline the GI certification process. These steps, expected to conclude by October 2025, will place Sri Lanka in a strong position to immediately roll out the GI system once European approval is secured.
However, Obeyesekere also highlighted a potential challenge: after an application is accepted, there is a window for third-party objections. If objections arise, Sri Lanka would need to take legal measures to defend its claim to the Ceylon Tea GI.
The push for GI certification dates back to December 2021, when the SLTB, under then-Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, entered into a €1 million tripartite agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). The grant aimed to develop a GI framework and certification system for Ceylon Tea over a four-year period.
Geographical Indication certification is critical for securing the global reputation and authenticity of Ceylon Tea by linking it to its unique Sri Lankan origin. It provides strong intellectual property protection while boosting the product’s value in both domestic and international markets.
Despite the progress made by the previous regime, the NPP government now faces significant tasks to complete the GI process.
Strengthening Sri Lanka’s domestic GI system remains a priority, alongside international outreach and stakeholder engagement. This involves officially registering Ceylon Tea as a GI within Sri Lanka—similar to the model used for Ceylon Cinnamon—and ensuring strict adherence to defined quality standards.
The National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) must establish a local GI registry for Ceylon Tea and define the specific traits and production methods that qualify for the label. Traceability systems must also be introduced to guarantee that only compliant tea is marketed as “Ceylon Tea.”
Internationally, Sri Lanka will need to negotiate GI recognition through trade agreements and mobilize support from the tea industry, government bodies, and consumers to promote and protect the GI status.
By completing these steps, Sri Lanka aims to preserve the global prestige of Ceylon Tea, ensuring that only authentic, high-quality tea carries the iconic name.
