131ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF CEYLON’S TEA PIONEER: James Taylor envisioned the potential of tea as a plantation crop

The vision of James Taylor regarding the enormous potential of tea as a plantation crop, the difficult conditions under which he worked, the manner in the perfected the art of the manufacture and the dedication of his entire life to the plantation tea industry to the extent of staying a bachelor all his life are legendary among tea planters of Sri Lanka.

The commemoration of 131st death anniversary of James Taylor is therefore of a great significance to the plantation industry. Even after 131 years there are many lessons to be learnt from the life and deeds of this pioneer tea planter not only for planters but for all professed entrepreneurs. 

In the colossal and economically crucial period of time, the tea industry which we see today, I hope this message will give those who are associated with tea industry an insight of James Taylor’s dedication to his assignment and will remind us that it is up to improve and consolidate the tea industry established over 155 years ago, as an industrial beacon to be reckoned with among, tea producing countries. It is therefore, not only a duty but an obligation on our part as the beneficiaries of Taylor to remember this great pioneer at least when his 131st death anniversary is commemorated. 

According to the record of burials available at Mahayyawa Cemetery, Kandy, James Taylor of Loolecondera Estate, Ceylon the pioneer of the tea and Cinchona Enterprises in this Island died on May 2nd 1892 at the age of 57 years. 
All concerned with the well being of the industry, hope and pray that the management companies will show the intrepidness and foresight of the Founding Father in managing the estates, which is under their purview ensure the stability and growth of the industry.

In this accountof the late James Taylor, I may have omitted other important factors in relation to this great man but the fact remains that as a nation we should be grateful to the pioneer who brought the great tea industry to Ceylon on a commercial basis and we largely depend on this for employment and foreign exchange to the present day.
We pray that he may be rewarded suitably in his place of rest.

(The writer is a former Senior Planter, Agricultural Advisor / Consultant, former Secretary General of Ceylon Planters Society and Editor of CPS Bulleting and freelance journalist)