It’s true that Ceylon Tea hasn’t got a long history as Chinese tea. Tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) by Scottish planter James Taylor in 1867. Eventually Ceylon Tea became one of the finest tasting teas in the world thanks to her overall, well balanced tasting profile with ideal strength, body, aroma and flavour. During this short history, Asia’s Sweetheart (Sri Lanka) had the honour of having highly skilled plantation workers, specially tea pluckers. They are the unsung heroes who really contributed for the betterment of “Pure Ceylon Tea”.  

The competition was hosted by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in celebration of 150 years of tea in Sri Lanka (2017), the national competition was first conducted at a divisional and then estate level with the winners qualifying to take part in a final inter-estate competition at Pedro Estate Nuwara Eliya which produces my favourite tea, adjudicated over by a panel of judges from Sri Lanka Tea Board and Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka. 

During the heated final competition, three Hayleys Plantations’ harvesters – M. Sivagami, P. Indrani, K.D. Vijayakala – emerged victorious respectively taking first, second and third places at the all-island finals. 

1. M. Sivagami

Sivagami beated 120 other tea harvesters to pluck an outstanding 3 kg of tea in just 15 minutes. She was treated to a grand tour of some of Singapore’s most iconic sights including a trip to the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown and the Marina Garden by the Bay. She initiated her career at Fordyce Estate, Dikoya, Kellani Valley Plantations at the age of 25, Sivagami has been a steadfast employee for the company for the past 26 years in addition to being a wife and mother of two children. She stated that her dream would be to earn and save enough to provide a comprehensive education for her children.

2. P. Indrani

Indrani is a Talawakele Tea Estates employee from the Kiruwanganga Estate who received a cash prize for her efforts. Commencing her employment in the sector in 1967, Indrani – who has worked in the industry for four decades – expressed gratitude to her Superintendent, her colleagues, family and friends for encouraging her to do her best at the competition. 

3. K.D Vijayakala

The third place winner, K.D Vijayakala, also of Talawakele Tea Estates PLC, working in the Indola Estate, received a valuable cash prize for her efforts and was a truly special participant in the inaugural competition. A mother of three children, Vijayakala is 32 years old (During competition in 2017)and lives and works on the estate with her family.

It’s too late to congratulate these 3 proud women. But I am really happy since I was able to bring them some honour by sharing their great achievement with international tea community.

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References

Original Post: http://www.ft.lk/agriculture/Hayleys-tea-harvesters-win-1st-2nd-and-3rd-place-at-national-tea-plucking-competition/31-660122