The Sri Lanka Tea Board is conducting an investigation into tea factories across Sri Lanka with the aim of maintaining the image of ‘Ceylon Tea’ in the international market.

Tea Commissioner E. A. J. K. Edirisinghe stated that 709 factories in several districts would be investigated within two months.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Rohan Pethiyagoda also reportedly stated that 80 tea factories in Ratnapura, Galle and Matara had been raided with 53 found to be engaging in the illegal practice of mixing sugar and glucose with tea during the threshing process, which is thought to turn tea black and possibly be sold at a higher price. He claimed that while the process does cause this, it also promotes the growth of mould and a carcinogen.