28 June 2022 01:03 am
The Sri Lanka Tea Board yesterday announced the appointment of Niraj de Mel as its new Chairman, with effect from June 20, 2022.
De Mel commenced his career in the industry as a tea taster and has over 45 years of experience as a tea broker, exporter, administrator and mentor. During his career, he has held many top-level positions in both Sri Lankan and multinational tea companies. He is Founder/Director of The Mel’s Tea Academy.
In addition to his career in the tea value chain, he also served as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board from June 2004 to November 2005.
He was a past Chairman of the Tea Exporter’s Association and Colombo Brokers Association and a Vice Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders Association.
Taking office once more at the Tea Board, de Mel said, “I am privileged to take on this role at such a crucial time in the history of our industry, where the needs of the tea industry regulators, stakeholders and consumers are changing rapidly.”
“Every stakeholder – be they growers, manufacturers, producers, brokers and exporters – is facing challenges.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board yesterday announced the appointment of Niraj de Mel as its new Chairman, with effect from June 20, 2022.
He brings decades of experience in the Sri Lanka tea sector and has a long track record of leading innovative and diverse teams around the tea industry.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board is dealing with these changes in a very proactive and astute manner, seriously looking at innovative ways to maintain the reputation of Ceylon Tea, which will benefit all tea stakeholders for years to come.”
He further stated that he looks forward to working closely with all sectors in the tea value chain to ensure that Ceylon Tea continues to make a positive impact among all buyers of Ceylon Tea, including tea lovers/consumers.
The tea industry was able to generate US $ 1.2 billion in 2020 and US $ 1.3 billion in 2021. Slightly better foreign exchange revenue is expected this year too, due to very high prices for Ceylon Tea since March, which is expected to continue around these levels for the rest of the year.