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During the latter part of the colonial era, the emergence of the Low country tea sector was pioneered by the likes of the Ratnayakes’ and Budhadasas’ of Deniyaya, Wanigasekeras’ of Akuressa, Jayawickramas’ of Urubokka et al; in producing quality tea from their own estates and by purchasing green tea leaf from smallholder tea gardens. This was followed by the likes of Mr. Navaratne Pilapitiya (popularly and fondly known as Pila) of New Vithanakande, who took this initiative as the pioneers, to a higher level of excellence. Read More
In 1962 Vivian Blazé came to our house with his mother on a social visit. During the conversation Vivian mentioned to my Dad that his Company (STLC Ltd) was looking for a different type of recruit. I was at home when my father came into my room and asked me to come and meet Vivian. Vivian asked me whether I would like to be a tea planter. He had already been advised by my father that I had 3 GCE A Levels in Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Physics from ..... Read More
The Ceylon Planters’ Society was involved in the financing and influencing the establishment of the Tramways in Colombo. Read More
Manik Jayakumar was a storied rugby captain in his youth, a retired lieutenant colonel, regiment commander and a decorated combat veteran in his middle years; and he had managed several award-winning tea estates and helped pioneer organic tea farming in Sri Lanka by the time he was 50. Read More
Eustace Bryan Pereira passed away on 3 April 2019 at the age of 78, quite unexpectedly, but peacefully, with dignity and with no fuss in keeping with his gentle character and laconic lifestyle. Read More
To Julius Caesar in 1st century BC Rome, and to the Royal-Thomian tribesmen of today, the “Ides of March” presaged diametrically opposite outcomes. Read More
My first occasion to travel from Colombo to Galle on the southern expressway was during a recent visit to Sri Lanka. On two previous occasions I was told that the route was not interesting as the journey was largely through uninhabited areas, and I unhesitatingly bowed to local opinion. While much of what I was told was correct taken in its own context, travelling along the new highway yielded some fascinating insights to me. The expressway does provide other compensating factors of which the principal one should certainly be the ..... Read More
The planting of rubber as a commercial crop took place several decades after tea production had almost reached its peak in the hill districts of Sri Lanka. Since up country areas were almost saturated with tea cultivation, mid and low country areas were being looked upon as potential locations for other crops. Read More
