Sri Lanka, Oct. 27 -- Sri Lanka's age-old plantation sector built on tea, rubber and coconut continues to serve as a backbone of the national economy, offering a pathway to renewed prosperity amid ongoing economic reforms, Senior Economic Adviser Dr. Arosha Fernando said.

According to recent industry data, the country produced about 262 million kilograms of tea in 2024, with export earnings surpassing USD 1.3 billion. The sector directly supports around 615,000 workers, highlighting its vital role in sustaining rural livelihoods. Despite these impressive figures, the industry faces mounting challenges from fluctuating weather patterns and global price shifts. For instance, tea output fell by 6.3% in June 2025 due to adverse weather condi...