Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi, has acknowledged a mistake in which he incorrectly referred to a recent global recognition for Sri Lankan tea as a “Nobel Prize” instead of a “Guinness World Record.”
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, the Minister clarified that the New Vithanakande Ceylon Black Tea, recently sold at an auction in Japan, had in fact been recognised by Guinness World Records as the most expensive tea ever sold.
“While commenting on this achievement, I mistakenly referred to it as a ‘Nobel Prize’ instead of a ‘Guinness Record’. I regret this error,” Handunneththi wrote.
The slip, made during a recent public appearance, quickly drew attention online, prompting a wave of commentary and criticism, particularly from political opponents.
The Minister dismissed the backlash as a distraction from the actual accomplishment.
“I also regret the bankrupt discourse being deliberately fuelled by certain members of the opposition,” he added.
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