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Sri Lanka’s tea industry, long considered one of the country’s most important economic pillars, is facing mounting pressure from rising global energy costs, trade disruptions, and weakening export demand linked to geopolitical tensions.
Valued at around US$1.5 billion, the tea sector is a major employer, supporting approximately 2.4 million people across plantations, factories, and related services. However, households dependent on the industry are increasingly struggling as rising production and living costs erode already low wages.
A significant share of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon…
