In the framework of the visit to the XXIV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which was held from 2-5 June 2021, Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries of Sri Lanka and Hon. Ajith Nivard Cabraal State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms of Sri Lanka visited the Tea Center/museum in St. Petersburg, Russia and had a cordial discussion with the Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship society, St. Petersburg chapter- which was newly established chapter works closely with the main society in Moscow.

The Russia-Sri Lanka Friendship society, St. Petersburg chapter informed two ministers that their objective will be to look for Russian business entities and investors who could collaborate with Sri Lankan counterparts in different sectors. During the visit to the international tea center in St. Petersburg, Sri Lankan delegation met the founder of the tea museum and international tea center, Mr. Chudok Alexander and the director of the Museum and Tea Cafe Ms. Anna Boykova.

A short video clip about the tea center/museum was showed on the screen for the Sri Lankan delegation during their visit. The Tea Museum was opened in 2018. More than 400 exhibits and tea installations tell visitors about the history, the different sorts of tea and tea culture of different countries. The international tea center is the largest tea shop in St. Petersburg, Russia with a huge assortment of teas from China, Sri Lanka and India with a guarantee of originality. They showed visitors about all the varieties of teas from these countries, how to choose the right teas, different tea cultures etc. The museum is a part of the international tea center and in addition to the tea museum, it includes the Tea Lounge - tea cafe, the largest tea shop in St. Petersburg, a branch of the Society for Friendship with Sri Lanka, a north-western tea culture club as well as , the editorial office of the Sea of Tea newspaper as well.

Two ministers and the Ambassador were given brief speeches during their visit to the international tea center in St. Petersburg. Sri Lankan dignitaries had expressed their gratitude for the international tea center in St. Petersburg for promoting Ceylon tea and they invited Russian citizens based in St. Petersburg to "taste Ceylon tea and visit Sri Lanka" during their speeches.