The Embassy of Sri Lanka in The Hague has announced that an eight‑member delegation, including six tea growers from the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium, is visiting Sri Lanka from 23 to 30 March 2026. 

The initiative marks a significant step in fostering collaboration between European tea producers and Sri Lanka’s renowned tea industry.

The study and exchange tour is organized by Deirdre Deprettere, founder of Cup of Tea Travel, and Karlijn Dapper, founder of Dapper Concepts Consultancy, both from the Netherlands. It is facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, and the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association (CATA).

During their stay, the delegation will visit tea plantations across the country and engage with key industry stakeholders, including the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Colombo Tea Traders Association, and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The program also features a visit to the historic Colombo tea auction site, offering participants valuable insights into Sri Lanka’s tea trade heritage.

The initiative aims to build long‑term collaboration between Sri Lankan and European growers, creating opportunities in production, education, and trade. It also strengthens Sri Lanka’s international profile as a hub for artisanal and sustainable tea, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of speciality tea. (Newswire)

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SriLankan Airlines has announced changes to its European routes as escalating tensions in the Middle East have resulted in airspace in certain parts of the region being closed. 

Issuing a statement, the national carrier said that, as a result, SriLankan Airlines has been compelled to make changes to its European routes, including London, to avoid the conflict zone.

“These route changes have led to increased flight durations on our services to Europe. Flight UL504 arriving from London to Colombo today, is being diverted to Doha for refuelling due to in-flight rerouting, while UL501 from Colombo to Paris is also being rerouted to avoid affected airspace,” it added. 

SriLankan Airlines requested its passengers’ understanding and patience as it implements these changes to prioritise their safety and well-being.

For more information, passengers have been requested to contact: 1979 (within Sri Lanka); +94 11 777 1979 (international); WhatsApp +94 74 444 1979 (chat only); or their respective travel agents. (Newswire)

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