Empire Teas welcomes global partners for 25th anniversary celebrations

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Empire Teas Pvt. Ltd. invited its international partners to Sri Lanka for a series of events that included visits to tea production facilities, cultural landmarks, and a gala dinner in Colombo. The anniversary programme began with the arrival of guests from across continents, who have worked with Empire for decades. They toured the company’s head office, blending rooms, and packaging floors, meeting the teams whose skills shape every product. In the tea gardens, visitors saw how leaves are plucked and processed before walking through the historic streets of Galle Fort. Traditional drummers, dancers, and cultural performances brought the island’s heritage to life. The final gala dinner brought together overseas buyers, local partners, and employees for an evening of shared pride, gratitude, and friendship.

The celebrations honoured long-standing relationships. Dr. Narayan from Russia, a partner for more than two decades, praised the company’s consistency in quality and supply. “They treat the customer not like a customer, but as a partner,” he said. Olga, another Russian partner of over 20 years, spoke of the friendship built over time. From Gambia, Mohammed described Empire’s resilience and reliability as “admirable” and looked forward to future milestones. Founded 25 years ago with the vision of sharing the finest Ceylon tea with the world, Empire Teas has grown into a name recognised in over 70 countries. Its brands, Hyson, Thurson, Akina, and Tea Avenue, are found across continents, each carrying its own story and tradition. “Our passion for tea is in every brand we’ve created. We are honoured to be the strength behind so many unique tea stories around the world.” said Founder and Managing Director Lushantha de Silva. As Empire Teas steps into its next chapter, he said, it remains focused on nurturing partnerships and delivering the quality and authenticity that have defined its journey so far.