The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands, together with 02 leading Dutch Tea experts Karlijn Dapper and Deirdre Deprettere organized a tea promotional event “Tea & Talk” at the Embassy premises on 16 November 2025. The event welcomed 60 participants, including tea importers, tea distributors, tea sommeliers, tea shop owners, and tea enthusiasts from the Netherlands. The event was supported by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association (CATA).
Addressing the gathering, Rekha Gunasekera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Netherlands gave an overview of the longstanding, warm and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands with a focus on trade and investment relations. At US $ 393.6 million, the Netherlands ranks as Sri Lanka’s 6th largest export destination and Ceylon Tea is one of the top export commodities to the country. The Ambassador also highlighted the heritage and success of Ceylon Tea emphasizing its unique flavours and high quality represented by the “Lion Logo”. Ceylon Tea is exclusively handpicked and grown in diverse Sri Lankan climates, the first to achieve the “Ozone Friendly Tea” label, the first “ethical tea brand” and grown using sustainable agricultural practices.
The event also featured presentations by Neethanjana Senadheera, Chairman of CATA/Production Manager AMBA Estate, Udena Wickramasuriya, Founder of Kaley Tea and Buddika Dissanyaka, Founder of Forest Hill Tea, who shared insights into how their teas are produced by small-scale growers who prioritize quality over quantity. They emphasized the sustainable cultivation methods used to ensure the highest standards of Ceylon tea and approaches that support farmers’ livelihoods while preserving the environment. This model not only produces exceptional tea but also strengthens local communities and safeguards Sri Lanka’s natural resources. Ceylon Tea promotional videos provided by the Sri Lanka Tea Board, CATA and Dilmah were also enjoyed by the participants. The event also showcased tea from the seven prime tea regions of Sri Lanka.
A highlight of the afternoon was the unique pairing of Ceylon tea with Dutch cheeses. Participants enjoyed an exceptional tasting experience featuring premium teas such as Amba Uva Oolong, Orange Sunshine, Silver Tips Long Jing, Heen Bovitiya Tisane, and TGOP Hand-Rolled Black, each expertly matched with Dutch cheeses and Stroopwafels. The Embassy also prepared a selection of traditional Sri Lankan snacks, including Kokis, Pol Roti with Lunumiris, Cutlets, Parippu Vade, and Cake giving attendees the chance to savour the richness of Sri Lankan cuisine alongside the curated tea pairings.
The gathering provided a valuable platform to deepen appreciation for the heritage and craftsmanship of Ceylon Tea and to further strengthen trade and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. Many attendees shared their positive experiences on social media and expressed great interest in Ceylon tea.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
The Hague
24 November 2025
