Doha, June 10 (QNA) -The Cultural Village Foundation - Katara hosted a Ceylon Tea Tasting event on Wednesday, organized by the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Qatar in cooperation with the Qatar–Sri Lanka Business Council.

 General Manager of Katara, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and HE Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the State of Qatar, Roshan Sithara Khan Azard attended the event, along with a lineup of Their Excellencies Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of official entities, and guests interested in Sri Lankan culture and heritage.

The event featured a documentary film highlighting the origins and development of Ceylon Tea since the nineteenth century, reviewing the historical milestones that helped establish its global reputation while also showcasing its economic and cultural significance in Sri Lanka.

In her remarks during the event, HE Ambassador Roshan Sithara Khan Azard highlighted that this year's celebration holds special significance, as it coincides with the 159th anniversary of the Ceylon Tea industry and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the State of Qatar.

Ceylon Tea remains a symbol of Sri Lanka's resilience, innovation, and enduring commitment to quality, noting that successive generations of Sri Lankans have contributed to developing the industry and preserving its global standing, Her Excellency said.

HE the Sri Lankan Ambassador stated that relations between her country and Qatar have witnessed continuous growth over the past five decades across a range of sectors, including trade, investment, aviation, tourism, education, labor, sports, and culture.

The strong people-to-people ties between the two nations have served as a cornerstone of this distinguished relationship, she noted.

Ceylon Tea was chosen as the theme for the golden jubilee commemoration of diplomatic ties because it symbolizes hospitality, friendship, and connection among peoples, since throughout history, tea has served as a means of fostering closeness, dialogue, and understanding among different cultures.

Her Excellency also expressed her appreciation to Katara, the Qatar–Sri Lanka Business Council, and the event's partners for their contributions to the success of the evening, while also commending the efforts of the Sri Lankan Embassy team for organizing the event.

The event concluded with a tasting of a selection of premium Ceylon Tea varieties, accompanied by an assortment of traditional Sri Lankan dishes and desserts, in an atmosphere that reflected the depth of the cultural and human ties between Qatar and Sri Lanka. (QNA)