While Sri Lanka’s colonial history resulted in the entrenchment of significant challenges, it also yielded transformative developments that have served as the foundation of the island’s economy for generations. Since the 19th century, Sri Lanka’s plantation industry, led by the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA), has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s infrastructure, agricultural research, and socio-economic landscape. Beyond enhancing agricultural productivity, the PA and its affiliated plantation sectors have spearheaded key developments, from constructing the island’s first railways to establishing pioneering, globally recognized research institutions such as the Tea Research Institute (TRI).
Contributions to Railway Infrastructure
The PA’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s railway system dates to 1800s, when its representatives in the legislative council proposed a voluntary tax on plantation exports to fund railway construction. Transparency and good governance were critical to this process, ensuring accountability from both planters and the government to guarantee that the funds raised from this CESS were effectively utilized. This process and the subsequent development of Sri Lanka’s Railway Infrastructure – which is still in use today – serves as an early model for how industry and Government were able to effectively collaborate to drive national development that started in the plantation industry, and quickly benefitted other sectors of the economy as well.
The proceeds of this levy directly financed the expansion of the hill country railway line, which became critical for transporting tea from central highlands to Colombo’s ports. Prior to the establishment of these railways, coffee and later tea was transported primarily by bullock carts taking a slow, arduous and often dangerous journey from the hill country back to Colombo Port. In 1845, the Ceylon Railway Company was established with the primary goal of constructing a railway line from Colombo to Kandy, fulfilling the planters’ needs. The planters’ persistent lobbying and financial contributions were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. The construction of the railway was a monumental engineering feat, overcoming challenging terrains and dense forests. The first train reached Kandy on April 26, 1867, and the line was opened for passenger traffic on August 1 of the same year. By the end of 1867, the railway was operational and financially viable, thanks in large part to the planters’ substantial contributions. 180 years later, these investments continue to support Sri Lanka’s transport infrastructure.
By 1894, the PA had secured additional funding through a propaganda CESS to promote tea consumption domestically, indirectly supporting infrastructure growth by increasing demand for efficient distribution networks. These early efforts laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s modern transport system, which remains vital for both agriculture and urban connectivity today.
Establishment of the Tea Research Institute
The transition from coffee to tea cultivation in the late 19th century brought new challenges in tea cultivation, including pest outbreaks and soil degradation, that required scientific research and innovation. The PA recognized the need for a dedicated institution to address these challenges. After years of advocacy, the Tea Research Institute of Ceylon was established in 1925 as an arm of the Planters’ Association. Similar to the construction of railways, funded through a dedicated export CESS—initially set at ten cents per 100 pounds of tea—the TRI pioneered research into clonal propagation, pest management, and fermentation techniques that revolutionized Ceylon Tea’s quality and yield.
The TRI aimed to conduct research on all aspects of tea cultivation and processing, providing vital information and education to the industry. Initially, the TRI operated from makeshift laboratories in Nuwara Eliya with modest equipment. In December 1929, it relocated to its current location at the St. Coombs Estate in Talawakelle, centralizing its research activities. Its relocation to St. Coombs Estate in Talawakelle in 1929 provided a dedicated hub for field trials and laboratory analysis, enabling breakthroughs such as drought-resistant tea varieties and organic cultivation methods.
By the 1960s, the TRI had established regional centers in Passara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, and Deniyaya, ensuring localized support for tea growers. These stations addressed region-specific issues such as the Ratnapura center focused on low-country tea diseases, while the Talawakelle facility optimized high-grown teas. The TRI’s advisory services reached over 150,000 smallholders, who today account for 76% of Sri Lanka’s tea production. Through training programs and subsidized saplings, the institute democratized access to advanced agricultural practices, bolstering rural livelihoods and export revenues. The establishment of the TRI marked a significant milestone in the advancement of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. By focusing on scientific research and development, the Institute has played a pivotal role in enhancing tea cultivation techniques, improving plant varieties, and addressing pest and disease control.
PA’s legacy of innovation continues to thrive, with technological advancements shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s plantation industry. More than a century, after the establishment of the TRI, the spirit of progress remains deeply embedded in its DNA. From cutting-edge mechanization to the adoption of green energy solutions such as solar power, the industry continues to evolve, ensuring cleaner, more sustainable, and efficient agricultural practices while upholding its pioneering heritage.
