The minister had made this comment while addressing the media at the National AI Expo exhibition held recently, which was based on artificial intelligence and related technologies.
At the event, he said:

“We received the Nobel Prize at the exhibition in Japan. A kilo of tea from Sri Lanka was sold at 860 US dollars. That’s about 280,000 rupees in Sri Lankan money. I think that’s a Guinness record.”
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As many social media users expressed their views about this statement, FactSeeker looked into the matter. Accordingly, official announcements regarding this were reviewed.
It was found that the New Vithanakande Tea Factory had indeed received recognition for its tea production, and their achievement was recorded in the Guinness World Records. They were recognized for producing the most expensive tea ever sold in the world. At an auction in Japan, a kilogram of Ceylon Black Tea (FFExSp) produced by New Vithanakande Tea Factory, known as Finest Flowery Extra Special, was sold at a record price of 125,000 Japanese Yen (USD 845, approximately Rs. 252,500). Thus, the factory was awarded a world record.

The Nobel Prize, however, is awarded to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions for the greatest benefit of humanity. No such official announcement linking Sri Lanka’s tea production to a Nobel Prize has been made.

It was later revealed that Minister Sunil Handunnetti issued a clarification regarding his earlier statement after the matter was investigated.
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