An island of tea Ceylon’s Tea Industry
44
To reach the position I am in today, I had to work very hard, travel extensively, take risks, face situations which made me stronger and gave me the courage and strength to keep moving and never to yield. Above all, I believe I received divine guidance. Merrill J Fernando
and political success. The lands of the Orient were therefore not
When
the British East India Company took control of Ceylon
routes and overseas territory, and to develop industry, commerce or
from the Dutch in 1796, their concerns were much
trade for the benefit of European investors and owners. However,
the same as those that had driven them to battle for almost 200 years
treaties and agreements signed with local rulers often imposed some
with the Portuguese and the Dutch for supremacy of the high seas in their
controls and under the Kandyan Convention of 1815, the British,
quest for power and wealth. Conquered territories were seen as a source
although given power over the entire island, were bound to maintain
of land to be utilised, labour to be harnessed, and resources, crops and
the laws, customs and institutions of the Kandyan kingdom. An early
products to be plundered. Company’s directors and employees based
failure to adhere to this agreement led to an insurrection in 1817 and,
their control and governance of the land on their desire for commercial
in preparation for expected resistance or rebellion, the British built a
A Cup of Kindness
generally valued as ancient, fascinating or rich civilisations whose religions and philosophies perhaps had something to teach the newcomers (although certainly in some cases - and especially in India – some Europeans did adopt the local way of life, manner of dress and even the religion) but were viewed simply as territories to be tamed and exploited. The main concern of colonialist powers was to gain control of trade
The Story of Dilmah Tea
