Tea factories face financial disruption By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s tea industry is facing a number of factory closures as authorities are clamping down on adulterated teas from reaching the market while some others are closing due to financial constraints. The Sri Lanka Tea Board did not disclose the number of factories closed or whose operations have been suspended. Asia Siyaka Managing Director Anil Cooke explained that tea factory owners have been plagued with low production quantities ever since the fertiliser crisis hit the industry compelling them to cultivate without the required fertilisers. He noted that despite the drop in volumes the same number of factories clamours to obtain the teas and as a result the factories are paying extra to obtain more teas. And with the surging costs of production and the increasing wages the industry’s factories are facing financial crisis.

Source: Sunday Times February 01, 2026 07:34 UTC