Sri Lanka’s Coffee Comeback Brews a Bold New Future

From colonial collapse to caffeine renaissance — a new roadmap aims to put Ceylon coffee back on the global map

Sri Lanka is stirring more than just cups — it’s awakening a whole industry. In a move that signals serious ambition, the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) and Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) have announced a formal partnership to chart a national roadmap for Sri Lanka’s growing specialty coffee sector.

Once a world-renowned coffee-producing nation before disease decimated the crop in the 1800s, Sri Lanka’s beans are now making a slow but confident comeback. And with it comes a vibrant culture of brewers, roasters, farmers — and now, policymakers.

Mapping the Roast: A Roadmap for Richer Grounds

Forget small talk — this roadmap means business. The DEA and MDF’s agreement promises to:

Assess the current state of the specialty coffee market

Pinpoint gaps in production, processing, and export

Introduce training, technology, and better standards to support farmers and processors

MDF will work directly with local producers to raise processing quality and share industry-level modules — part of a plan to turn Sri Lankan coffee from boutique buzz into a serious export player.

Australia’s Long Brew: Eight Years of Caffeinated Commitment

Australia isn’t new to this game. “We’ve been with Sri Lanka on this coffee journey since 2017,” said Australian Deputy High Commissioner Lalita Kapur, who spoke at the announcement. “And it’s been a long, rewarding road.”

She hailed the roadmap and the new momentum, tying the sector to inclusive economic growth and stronger foreign exchange earnings — words that are music to Sri Lanka’s trade-strapped ears.

200 Years Later, Coffee Takes the Spotlight

Held on July 8 and 9 in Kandy, the Sri Lanka Coffee Festival returned for its fourth year — this time with something to celebrate: 200 years of coffee cultivation on the island.

With support from the Lanka Coffee Association (LCA) and the DEA, the event was both a nostalgic nod and a future-facing celebration, complete with:

A commemorative postal stamp

A live barista championship

Coffee art contests for schoolchildren

Tasting expos featuring the island’s finest specialty brews

A Global Aroma: Sunalini Menon Joins the Party

Joining virtually was none other than Sunalini Menon, President of Coffeelab, India — hailed as “Asia’s First Lady of Coffee.” Her participation, facilitated by MDF, added major credibility to Sri Lanka’s emerging claim as a serious specialty coffee origin.

A Culture Brewing Beyond the Cup

Chairperson of the LCA, Kushan Samararatne, believes this festival marked a turning point. “We formed the LCA four years ago to unify the sector,” he said. “Now we’re seeing that unity take form — not just among farmers and exporters, but with government backing as well.”

And it’s not just about agriculture. A rising café scene, premium roasters, and growing youth interest in coffee culture are turning coffee into an urban lifestyle movement.

Not Just a Buzz: Real Business is Brewing

Corporate support is also heating up. Colombo Coffee Company stepped in as Gold Sponsor, while Hatton National Bank came on board as official banking partner — a strong signal that private sector confidence is percolating.

From Bean to Brand: The Road Ahead

With its ideal highland terrain, rich heritage, and a new roadmap on the table, Sri Lanka may soon find itself not just sipping on coffee — but selling it to the world.

From forgotten fields to festival grounds, the story of Sri Lankan coffee is being rewritten — one bean, one cup, and now, one roadmap at a time.