The country has long been a leading exporter of the commodity, but now the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) wants to import leaves from countries like Kenya, Vietnam and Indonesia, and blend them with higher quality local produce.
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TEA members, who make up more than 80 percent of Sri Lanka's tea exports, say the island should harness its local blending expertise and reclaim its role as a tea hub, a position being eroded by competition from Gulf nations.
They argue that the high quality and the correspondingly high prices have placed "Pure Ceylon Tea" beyond the reach of the lucrative mass market, even if the industry enjoys an enviable brand reputation.
"We lose out because our tea is too expensive," says Niraj de Mel, head of TEA.
"We don't have a (cheaper) te