Thursday May 21, 2026
Thursday May 21, 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026 15:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
On International Tea Day, we celebrate more than the richness of Ceylon Tea; we celebrate the people, landscapes and integrated value chain that bring every cup to life. At Hayleys Plantations, with over 15,775 employees across 60 estates and more than 22,000 hectares supporting a resident population exceeding 120,000, our commitment is to build a plantation model where quality, community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and quality of work life progress together.
Across our Regional Plantation Companies, we continue to strengthen Sri Lanka’s reputation for premium Ceylon Tea through excellence in cultivation, ethical practices, specialty offerings, and responsible stewardship. Beyond tea, we are shaping resilient plantation communities and creating equitable and sustainable livelihoods through flexible and self-managed work systems, expanded income opportunities, and people-centred progress.
Powered by total systems management, data-driven decision-making, regenerative agriculture, and responsible resource management, Hayleys Plantations continues to create lasting value for our people, communities, environment, and tea lovers around the world. Every cup reflects the care, commitment, and heritage behind our legacy of Ceylon Tea as we continue building a future-ready plantation industry for generations to come.
The World-Renowned Pedro Tea Factory of the Nuwara Eliya Region
Kelani Valley Plantations’ Rare Artisanal Tea Collection
Established in 1992 and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 1996, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) manages 25 estates across Sri Lanka’s renowned agro-climatic regions, producing Tea, Rubber, Coconut, Cinnamon, and Coffee. With a workforce exceeding 7,000 employees, the company remains a leading contributor to the global Ceylon Tea industry.
KVPL’s tea portfolio reflects the richness and diversity of Sri Lanka’s tea-growing regions. The company manufactures premium Black Tea, Green Tea, and Specialty Teas recognised internationally for their distinctive flavour profiles and exceptional quality.
The Nuwara Eliya region remains one of KVPL’s flagship origins, represented by the world-renowned Pedro Estate, and home to the prestigious Mahagastotte and Lovers’ Leap marks. Nuwara Eliya further contributes through the celebrated Inverness mark, producing high-grown teas admired for their delicate aroma and bright liquor characteristics. In the Dimbula district, estates including Annfield, Fordyce, Ingestre, Tillyrie, and Robgill consistently manufacture premium orthodox teas – using rotovane processing technology – which are highly regarded in global markets for their smooth flavour and seasonal character. The Sabaragamuwa region is represented through Kelani and Halgolla Estates under the respected Ullswater mark, producing distinctive low-grown teas with rich colour and strong character sought after by international buyers. Uda Radella Estate in Nanu Oya has also gained recognition for specialty tea manufacturing, while Glassaugh Estate is globally recognised for premium Green Tea production.
Beyond tea manufacturing, KVPL continues to promote Sri Lankan tea culture through unique tea tourism experiences including the Pedro Estate Ethical Tea Boutique in Nuwara Eliya, the iconic Tea Train at the Edinburgh Estate in Nanu Oya, and the Planters Grove at the Dewalakanda Estate. Operational excellence remains central to KVPL’s success. All KVPL black tea factories are certified under ISO 22000:2018, ensuring globally recognised food safety standards. Ingestre Black Tea Processing Centre has additionally achieved the ISO 45001:2018 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, reflecting the company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and workplace safety. Sustainability remains at the heart of KVPL’s operations. The company currently holds Rainforest Alliance certification, Eco Label Sri Lanka certification, and membership in the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP). A landmark achievement was recorded when Halgolla Estate became the world’s first tea estate to receive the prestigious regenagri certification for regenerative agriculture.
KVPL’s commitment extends beyond environmental sustainability through its pioneering social initiative, ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’, launched in 2006 to uplift estate communities and improve living standards. From the mist-covered high-grown Estates of Nuwara Eliya to the lush low-grown valleys of Sabaragamuwa, KVPL PLC continues to preserve the heritage and distinct character of Ceylon Tea.
At Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC Nurturing People, Protecting Nature & Producing with Care
Newly Launched Certified Organic Teas and Matcha Collection
At Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC), we reflect on our journey as Sri Lanka’s No. 1 regional plantation company and trusted provider of premium Ceylon Tea worldwide. Since 1992, we have grown to 16 estates across 6,491 hectares, where over 5,000 employees cultivate some of the country’s finest teas.. Our story blends regional characters: the high-grown Dimbula profile from Talawakelle and Nanu Oya, and the low-grown Ruhuna richness from Galle and Deniyaya. It is shaped by skilled hands, disciplined estate management, and a culture grounded in care. This commitment has earned international recognition, including becoming the first plantation company globally to achieve ‘World Class Winner’ status at the Global Performance Excellence Awards by APQO.
For us, premium tea is inseparable from the wellbeing of our people and environment. This belief drives ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’ – our flagship community programme. With an investment of approximately Rs. 120.79 mn, we continue to enhance living conditions, health and nutrition, community capacity building, youth empowerment, and maternal and child wellbeing across estate communities. We continue to innovate through unique artisanal tea experiences and premium specialty offerings. Recently, we strengthened our portfolio with certified organic teas under the Great Western and Logie garden marks, assuring purity, traceability and responsible cultivation practices. Embracing current wellness trends, we also introduced pure Ceylon Matcha tea, crafted from high-quality green tea leaves, delivering a distinctive Ceylon experience. Our premium promise is supported by rigorous systems and globally recognised standards. We are proud to be recognised as the Most Awarded Company in Sri Lanka 2025 and the Most Certified Plantation Company in Sri Lanka. Certifications held by the company include Rainforest Alliance, Great Place to Work, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22000:2018, ISO 14064-1:2018, ISO 50001:2018, JAS, USDA, and EU certifications.
Sustainability remains central to our long-term strategy. TTE PLC became the first plantation company globally to align emissions reduction targets with the SBTi 1.5°C pathway, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 towards net-zero operations. This commitment is reflected through Sri Lanka’s first Gold-rated Green Building tea factory at the Kiruwanaganga estate - a Rs. 714 mn climate-smart infrastructure investment. We continue building a future-ready tea industry through renewable energy generation exceeding 88% of total consumption, alongside reforestation, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, responsible water management, waste reduction, PET bottle recycling, and climate resilience initiatives. Our ECO Centre at the Somerset estate promotes circular economy practices by supporting PET recycling, generating clean employment opportunities, and empowering women within estate communities. Furthermore, as a Patron Member of the Climate Emergency Task Force Working Group of the UN Global Compact, we continue to strengthen climate resilience and responsible business practices within the plantation sector.
Gouravilla Tea Experience Center
HER-SHIELD Initiative to Protect Our Harvesters from Rain & Sun
Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) received the prestigious ‘Best Ethical Tea Exporter Award’, while two estates now produce carbon-neutral tea for international markets. Its diversified portfolio includes Eagle Nest Tea, Muguru Tea, Ring Tea, Handmade Green Tea, flavoured teas, and single-origin varieties, catering to growing global demand for authenticity and premium tea experiences. Product quality is reinforced through advanced colour sorter technology and globally recognised certifications including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Eco Label standards.
HPL is transforming plantation operations through technology, precision agriculture, and renewable energy integration while preserving the heritage of Ceylon Tea. Digital weighing systems for green leaf collection have improved transparency and worker trust through accurate payments, while enabling real-time attendance monitoring and field-to-factory traceability. ERP-integrated dry tea weighing systems further strengthen production monitoring and operational decision-making. Innovation in the field includes high-density tea planting at Millakanda Estate to improve productivity, supported by advanced soil probes that analyse nutrient conditions and enable customised fertiliser application. Climate resilience has also been strengthened through weather stations developed with the Arthur C. Clarke Institute, providing real-time climatic insights for estate management. Investments in solar and hydro power are reducing reliance on conventional energy, while colour sorter technology improves tea grading accuracy, efficiency, and energy conservation. Together, these initiatives are creating a plantation operation driven by precision, accountability, and resource optimisation.
Sustainability remains central to the HPL’s business strategy, environmental stewardship, and community development agenda. Collaborations with the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology and Fairtrade organisations are supporting the development of biodegradable alternatives to glyphosate, while bamboo pots are replacing polythene nursery bags to reduce plastic waste. The ‘T-SHADE’ initiative promotes biodiversity, climate adaptation, and future carbon credit opportunities through shade tree planting. Community initiatives include the E-BRIDGE digital literacy programme for estate children, on-site healthcare services, and the ‘She-Essentia’ initiative which involves producing reusable sanitary napkins for estate women. Additional innovations such as protective umbrellas for tea pluckers and safety shelters constructed from recycled materials demonstrate the company’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of estate communities while advancing sustainability. These initiatives continue to strengthen HPL PLC’s commitment to efficient, sustainable, and future-focused plantation operations.
