Sri Lanka, Oct. 29 -- Sri Lanka's cinnamon industry has rewritten its story, shedding colonial monopolies to emerge as a dynamic, privately driven sector. Boosted by higher quality standards, institutional support, and diversified products, the spice now reaches international markets in new forms-from oils and powders to culinary innovations-strengthening the global footprint of Ceylon cinnamon while generating fresh opportunities for farmers and local businesses alike.

One of the key drivers of the Portuguese and Dutch presence in Sri Lanka was to secure the monopoly of the lucrative Ceylon cinnamon trade. The cinnamon trade had been the Dutch government monopoly during its rule in the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka spanning nearly on...