Nuwani Dissanayake Makes History as Sri Lanka’s First Female Tea Tasting Champion

Sri Lanka’s tea industry has marked a historic milestone with Nuwani Dissanayake becoming the first woman in the country to win the prestigious Tea Tasting Championship.

Dissanayake secured the title at the Tea Tasting Competition held on September 4 at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, alongside the Annual General Meeting of the Tea Exporters Association (TEA).

The competition tested participants on their ability to identify the aroma, flavour, strength and distinctive characteristics of different tea samples within a limited period.

Tea tasting plays a vital role in determining the quality, character and value of tea. Professional tea tasters assess factors including colour, aroma, flavour, strength and aftertaste, while their expertise is also important in tea selection, blending and maintaining consistency.

Dissanayake currently serves as a Tea Taster and Business Development Manager at Anverally & Sons. She entered the industry after completing a degree in Agricultural Entrepreneurship at Uva Wellassa University.

She further developed her expertise through nearly seven years as a trainee tea taster at Finlays Colombo, gaining extensive experience in evaluating tea through sight, smell and taste.

Her career was also shaped by the guidance of experienced industry professionals, including Nishan Wickramaratne, the late Widanagamage Jayatilaka, Thilanka Dissanayake and Romesh Morais.

Dissanayake also acknowledged the support of Anverally & Sons Managing Director Mohamed Anverally, Tea Division General Manager Harendra Kiridena and General Manager – Sales Dharani Jayawardena.

Her achievement marks a significant milestone for women in Sri Lanka’s tea industry and highlights the growing contribution of female professionals to a specialised field traditionally dominated by men.