Steeping the Future: Sri Lanka Explores Matcha Cultivation in Japan!
Following up on the Embassy’s landmark initiative to introduce authentic matcha tea cultivation to Sri Lanka, a high-level delegation recently concluded a successful feasibility study tour in Japan.This specialized tour marks a significant milestone in diversifying Sri Lanka's world-renowned tea industry by exploring the integration of traditional Japanese matcha production techniques with Sri Lankan agricultural expertise.Prof. Janendra De Costa, Chairman of the Tea Research of Sri Lanka Board and Dr. Raveendran Kandasamy of Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka spearheaded the technical feasibility study, analyzing Japan's advanced cultivation, harvesting, and processing methodologies.The study tour was organized and sponsored by the Yogo Group of Companies in Nagoya—a wonderful outcome of successful collaborative discussions held over the last couple of months. (Embassy Facebook post on the high-level online meeting held on 27 January 2026: https://www.facebook.com/SriLankaEmbassyTokyo/posts/pfbid02brNzu4ruLPdQAveXXJzifnSsMEFoLi9S3itZuyJ2QGxLrCAeZ5GGH3StVKgQapigl) Demonstrating the high priority of this initiative, H.E. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan, Prof. Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe along with Mr. Sandun Sameera (First Secretary - Commerce), joined the delegation on the final day to review outcomes and discuss the next phases of implementation.This initiative promises to bring an innovative new dimension to Sri Lanka’s tea export portfolio while further strengthening the enduring economic, technological, and cultural bonds between Sri Lanka and Japan.