Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe has invited the public and international visitors to experience the scenic beauty of Uva Paranagama through the Pekoe Trail stages 20 and 21, highlighting horseback travel and organic produce as unique attractions.

“I call visitors around the globe to visit Pekoe Trail stages 20 and 21 in Uva Paranagama. While you travel on horseback, you can also pick fresh, organic pears and taste them. It is an experience, a feeling. You can experience Ceylon tea and organic pears,” Ranasinghe said.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks during a promotional visit to the Lucky Land Estate in Uva Paranagama, where he rode on horseback as part of a tourism promotion activity.  

The event was held under the Ceylon Tea Villages program of 500 tea villages, with Uva Province’s main program taking place yesterday. Riding along the roads of the area, Ranasinghe emphasized the natural beauty and scenic value of the region, positioning it as a destination for sustainable tourism.

Badulla District MP Ravinda Bandara also joined the promotional activity, riding on horseback alongside the Deputy Minister. (Newswire)

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The inauguration of the “Ceylon Tea Village” program, which aims to establish 500 cluster tea villages across Sri Lanka, will be held on July 15 at Halgolla Hapugastalawa in the Kotmale area of the Nuwara Eliya District. 

Addressing the media on Thursday (09), Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne announced that in its initial phase, work will begin in 144 tea villages covering 11 districts.

Launched by the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, the program seeks to raise national tea production to 400 million kilograms and boost export revenue to USD 2.5 billion by 2030. 

The program is being implemented with the leadership of the Small Tea Plantation Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, and the National Plantation Management Institute.

Commenting on the program, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne said Ceylon Tea has long strengthened Sri Lanka’s economy with its globally recognized flavor. He emphasized that through the establishment of 500 tea villages, production will rise significantly, increasing export revenue by USD 1 billion and strengthening both tea growers and the national economy.

Currently, 95% of Sri Lanka’s tea production is exported, while only 5% is consumed locally. Small tea plantation owners contribute 75% of total output. The program aims to improve small growers’ income, introduce value‑added tea products, integrate tea with tourism, promote modern and sustainable cultivation methods, develop infrastructure in identified villages, and establish cooperative societies.

Minister Samantha Vidyaratne stressed that the selection of the 144 villages scheduled for launch in 2026 was carried out scientifically and technically by officials of the Tea Research Institute and the Small Tea Plantation Development Authority, without political interference.

The “Ceylon Tea Village” program is expected to benefit smallholders and all stakeholders in the tea industry, while contributing to Sri Lanka’s national development goals by 2030. (Newswire)

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