Sri Lanka, Nov. 7 -- Securing the Future of Sri Lanka's Plantation Economy

A tea bush planted today takes five years to yield its first crop, a decade to generate meaningful returns, and over 20 years to fully repay the initial capital investment. Yet, Sri Lanka's Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) have just 19 years remaining on their land leases. This paradox sits at the core of the nation's plantation crisis: an industry dependent on long-term capital commitment is operating under a policy structure that renders such investments nearly impossible to justify.

The ramifications extend far beyond the estates. According to World Bank estimates, Sri Lanka's broader agrifood sector generates roughly one-sixth of national GDP, underpins ...