Sri Lanka, July 16 -- The Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry yesterday (15) launched the national programme to establish 500 "Ceylon Tea Villages" as part of efforts to achieve Sri Lanka's target of increasing finished tea production to 400 million kilograms and tea export earnings to US$ 2.5 billion by 2030.

The inaugural event was held in front of the Hapugasthalawa Tank in Halgolla Village, Kotmale Divisional Secretariat Division, Nuwara Eliya District.

The programme aims to modernise Sri Lanka's small tea estate sector, improve the livelihoods of tea farmers and promote sustainable development within the tea industry.

Under the first phase, 144 tea villages will be established in 2026, covering all 144 Tea Inspectio...