The Ruhuna tea-growing district lies in what is now the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The tea-growing terrain, coastal plain with low hills towards the interior, lies mostly in the western part of the province, within the ‘wet zone’ watered by the southwest monsoon. Eastward, the land is predominantly scrub jungle, with some areas of grassy plain and coastal salt-marsh, growing wilder and more barren as one travels eastward. This eastern region is home to a number of nature reserves, including Ruhuna National Park, better known to Sri Lankans as Yala, whose upper reaches extend into the adjacent province of Uva. The forests of Ruhuna are home to wild elephants, leopards, bears, wild boar and many kinds of deer. It is a paradise for bird-lovers, with hundreds of native and migrant species, including giant flamingos which spend their breeding season among the salt-pans and marshes of Bundala, another coastal reserve.
Ruhuna was a latecomer to tea. It was only around 1900 that the first estates were opened up among the foothills of the central mountain massif, at a convenient distance from Galle and Matara with their road and rail connexion to the capital.
During the early 1970s, political and economic changes in the Middle East resulted in a greatly increased market for the strong, full-flavoured black teas that are a Ruhuna speciality. This resulted in a boom, the effects of which have lasted more or less until the present day. Ruhuna is now, along with Sabaragamuwa, one of the key tea-producing districts of Sri Lanka, producing its own characterful varieties. Between them, the two provinces account for around 60% of the total production of the island.
Ruhuna teas are defined as ‘low-grown’. The tea-estates of the region all lie at altitudes between sea level and 600 m. Although the main tea-growing areas are relatively near the coast, the predominant weather patterns prevent them from receiving the full force of the southwest monsoon winds and the rain they bring. Before the coming of tea, this zone of moderate climate, watered by several small rivers, was devoted to the cultivation of spices. The soil of Ruhuna, combined with the low elevation of the estates, causes the tea-bush to grow rapidly, producing a long, beautiful leaf that turns intensely black on withering and is particularly suited to rolling. Ruhuna factories produce a wide variety of leaf styles and sizes, from prized ‘tips’ through whole- and semi-whole-leaf teas to ‘fannings’ and CTC.
Tea factories
Name | Tea District | Admin District | Address |
---|---|---|---|
A B C Ruhuna | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Abervalley | Ruhuna | Matara | Millagahahena Group Beralapanathara |
Abewickrama | Ruhuna | Galle | Abewickrema Watte Weerapana Opatha |
Addaraduwa | Ruhuna | Galle | Kobala Roadimaduwa Galle |
Agilma | Ruhuna | Galle | Shantha Lane Elpitiya |
Alfa Valley Instant | Ruhuna | Galle | Yatagala Karandeniya Galle |
Alhewana | Kalutara | Ruhuna | Nabada Road Matugama |
Allan Valley | Ruhuna | Matara | Kotapola Matara |
Andaradeniya | Ruhuna | Matara | Galle |
Anningkande | Ruhuna | Matara | Aninkanda Estate Deniyaya |
Aruna | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Asiri Tea Factory | Ruhuna | Akuressa | Wahala Kananke Welipitiya Akuressa |
Athukorala | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Kuruduwatta No 1 Pitigala Mathugama |
Athumale | Ruhuna | Matara | Mapalagama Nagoda Galle |
Athuraliya | Ruhuna | Matara | Athuraliya Akuressa Matara |
Ayagama | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Paragala Ayagama Kalawana |
Baddegama | Ruhuna | Galle | Baddegama Estatebaddegama |
Baduraliya | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Baduraliya Mathugama |
Balagala | Ruhuna | Matara | Kiyaduwa Akuressa |
Bambarakanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Bambarawana Niyagama Galle |
Banagala | Ruhuna | Matara | Opatha Pitabeddara Matara |
Batuwangala | Ruhuna | Galle | Morawaka Roadlelwala Neluwa |
Belmont | Ruhuna | Matara | Akuressa Matara |
Bengamuwa | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Berubeula | Ruhuna | Matara | Berubaula Estate Urubokka |
Beverley | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya |
Bogoda | Ruhuna | Matara | Bogoda Group Kolawenigama Deniyaya |
Brombil | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Pitigala Roadpelawatte |
Campden Hill | Ruhuna | Matara | Ensalwatta Deniyaya |
Captain Garden | Ruhuna | Galle | Gonamulla Junction Galle |
Catanwilla | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Cee Tea Hills | Ruhuna | Matara | Beralapanathara |
Co-Op Lanka | Ruhuna | Matara | Kotapola Mpcs Ltd Waralla |
Coopwin | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya Roadakuressa |
Copecolla | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya Road Kotapola |
Dampahala | Ruhuna | Matara | Dampahala Matara |
Dankoluwa | Ruhuna | Pitabeddera | |
Danlanda | Ruhuna | Matara | Pattigala Beralapanathara |
Davidson | Ruhuna | Galle | Wanduraba Galle |
Dediyagala | Ruhuna | Matara | Dediyagala Maliduwa Akuressa |
Dellawa | Ruhuna | Galle | Morawaka |
Deniyaya | Ruhuna | Matara | Kotapola Deniyaya Matara |
Deniyaya New | Ruhuna | Matara | Kiruwanaganga Tea Fac Deniyaya Matara |
Derangala | Ruhuna | Matara | Kiriwelkelle Pitabeddara |
Derangala Hills | Ruhuna | Matara | Atu-Ela Morawaka |
Desan Valley | Ruhuna | Matara | Millawa Roadmorawaka |
Dewagiri | Ruhuna | Galle | Devagiri Groups Kottawagama Via Galle |
Dewenigewatte | Ruhuna | Galle | Keppetiyagoda Nagoda Galle |
Deviturai | Ruhuna | Galle | Deviturai Estate Ethkandura Elpitiya |
Devonia | Ruhuna | Matara | Galdola Kotapola |
Dhanawala | Ruhuna | Galle | Danawela Neluwa |
Diddenipota | Ruhuna | Matara | Diddenipota Estate Mulatiyana Junction Mulatiyana |
Dodangaha | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Wattehena Talgaswala |
Dumbara | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Dumbara Estate Ingiriya |
Ehala Kanda | Ruhuna | Matara | Ehalakanda Gomila Mawarala |
Ekvin | Ruhuna | Hambantota | Banagala Roadopatha Galle |
Ellewatta | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Ensalwatta | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Eramulla | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Eramulla Estate Pinikahana Elpitiya |
Etambegahawila | Ruhuna | Matara | Kananke Bazar Weligma Matara |
Ethgandara | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Evergreen | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Thalawa Rd Horangalla |
Fairy Land | Ruhuna | Matara | Bopagoda Akuressa |
Fairymount | Ruhuna | Matara | Milla-Ela Morawaka |
Fortune | Ruhuna | Matara | Keeripitiya Roadurubokka |
Gahalawatta | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Galaboda | Ruhuna | Matara | Galabada Group Akuressa |
Galaboda Organic Green | Ruhuna | Matara | Galaboda Group Akuressa |
Galagawa | Ruhuna | Matara | Galagawa Tea Factory Bopagoda Akuressa |
Galatara | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Galatha Atabage Gampola |
Galathara | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Walallawitahalwala Galatara |
Gallinda | Ruhuna | Galle | Talgaswela Estate |
Galpotha Watta | Ruhuna | Galle | Agaliya Galle |
Gamagoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Nayapamulagamagoda Baddegama |
Gangani | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Balpaloswatte Kanontudawa Haltota |
Gangasiri | Ruhuna | Galle | Weerapanaopatha Morawaka |
Gikiyanakanda | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Geekiyanakanda Estatemathugama |
Ginnaliya | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Golden Leaf | Ruhuna | Galle | Gonamulla Pitadeniya Raod Galle |
Gona Pinuwela | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Weihena Mattaka |
Gonatipolle | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Graceland | Ruhuna | Galle | Narawala Akmeemana |
Green House | Ruhuna | Matara | Panakaduwa West Pasgoda Matara |
Green Lanka | Ruhuna | Matara | Ginnaliya Eastpasgoda Deniyaya Matara |
Gunawardena | Ruhuna | Matara | Thalahagama Westporathota Akuressa |
Gurugodella | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Niyagama Thalgaswala |
Gurukande | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Gurukanda Estate Talgaswala |
H P P | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Maminiyagodella Bulathsinghala |
Hadigalla | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Hadunugoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Titthagallaahangama |
Halgahadola | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Eramulla Estate Kahaduwa |
Halvitigala | Ruhuna | Galle | Tea Smallholder Fac Ltd Halvitigala |
Handford | Ruhuna | Matara | Handford Estate Deniyaya |
Hartley Hills | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Ihala Welgamabulathsinghala Kalutara |
Hasaliya | Ruhuna | Galle | Poddala Bope |
Hayes | Ruhuna | Matara | Ulliduwawa Deniyaya Matara |
Hedigalla | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Kalutara |
Henakande | Ruhuna | Galle | Lelwala Estate |
Henathenna | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Delmellabulathsinghala |
Heycock Valley | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Hillgarden | Ruhuna | Galle | Indurupathvilaweihena Baddegama |
Hillside | Ruhuna | Galle | Wanduramba Galle |
Hillway | Ruhuna | Galle | Waduweliwitiya Unanvitiya |
Hillview | Ruhuna | Galle | Happitiya Neluwa Galle |
Himara | Ruhuna | Galle | Ambalegedara North Neluwa |
Hingulgoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Hiniduma Galle |
Hiniduma - Tea Shakthi | Ruhuna | Galle | Tea Shakti Fund384Pannipitiya Rd Pelwatte |
Hopton | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Hulandawa | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Iddamaldeniya | Ruhuna | Galle | Devagiri Group Kottawagama Yakkalamulla |
Imbulgahagoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Imbulgahagoda Estate Wanduramba Estate Galle |
Iriyagaha | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Ivy Valley | Ruhuna | Galle | Baddegama Raod Lelwala Wanduramba |
Ivyhills | Ruhuna | Galle | Udalamatta-Via Galle |
Janahitha | Ruhuna | Galle | Kottawagama Galle |
Jasmine Valley | Ruhuna | Galle | Thawalama |
Jayagath | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Niyagama Thalgaswala |
Jayasinghe | Ruhuna | Galle | Batuwangalaneluwa |
Kallumalay | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Bulathsinghala |
Kalubowitiyana | Ruhuna | Matara | Kalubowitiyana |
Kandedola | Ruhuna | Matara | Gorakawela Pitabeddara |
Kannaliya | Ruhuna | Galle | Koralegamapanangala Thawalama |
Kanrich | Ruhuna | Matara | Horagoda Rd Henegama Akuressa |
Kanthisiri | Ruhuna | Galle | Dikkumburaahangama |
Kanuketiya | Ruhuna | Galle | Imaduwa Galle |
Karagoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Moraketiya Roadkaragoda Galle |
Katandola | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Katandola Estate Elpitiya |
Katukelle | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Kekundeniya | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Kellapatha | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Amugodakellapatha |
Ketanwila | Ruhuna | Matara | Maliduwa Akuressa |
Kirimetideniya | Ruhuna | Matara | Paraduwa Akuressa |
Kiruwangaga | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Kodagoda | Ruhuna | Matara | Batheegamamaliduwa Akuressa |
Korahilagoda | Ruhuna | Matara | Thelijjawila Matara |
Kottawa Valley | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle |
Kowlanawatta | Ruhuna | Galle | Aluth Ihala Nagoda Galle |
Kudamalana | Ruhuna | Galle | Mapalagama Central Talgaswela |
Kudapana | Ruhuna | Matara | Mawarala Mulatiyana |
Kumudu | Ruhuna | Kalutara | No48 Ambatale Mulleriyawa-New Town |
Kunduppakanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Angulugaha Galle |
Kurunduwatta | Ruhuna | Galle | Gonamulla Junction Kuruduwatte Galle |
Kurupanawa | Ruhuna | Galle | Nagoda Galle |
Lakmali | Ruhuna | Galle | Mapalagama (Central) |
Lakvinka | Ruhuna | Matara | Galmola Junction Bengamuwa |
Lenama Hills | Ruhuna | Matara | No 181/A Deegala Lenama Akuressa |
Lihiniyawa | Ruhuna | Galle | Lihiniyawa Meegahathenna |
Lions | Ruhuna | Matara | Ketawala Roadberalapanathara |
Liyanage | Ruhuna | Matara | Nishhankapura Kotapola Matara |
Liyonta | Ruhuna | Matara | Matara |
Liyota | Ruhuna | Galle | Udubattawaakmeemana Galle |
Lucky | Ruhuna | Galle | Newathimulla Hiniduma |
Lucky Dais | Ruhuna | Matara | Beralapanathara Deniyaya Matara |
Lucky Kottawa | Ruhuna | Galle | Galgodella Road Thalgampola |
Luckydays | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Lumbini | Ruhuna | Matara | Lumbini Watte Kolawenigama Deniyaya |
Madola | Ruhuna | Galle | Walahanduwa Galle |
Magedara | Ruhuna | Galle | Magedara Galle |
Mahaliyadda | Ruhuna | Galle | Weihena Estate Weihena Galle |
Mahambana | Ruhuna | Galle | Baddegama Galle |
Mahendra | Ruhuna | Matara | Mahendra Estate Athu Ela Morawaka |
Mahesland | Ruhuna | Galle | Tellambura Nakiyadeniya |
Makandura | Ruhuna | Matara | Matara |
Mandalapura | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Marakanda | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Marakandapoddiwela Galle |
Matota | Ruhuna | Matara | Mathota Tea Factory Kiriveldola Kotapola |
Meddagedara | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Maddegedara Estatematugama |
Meegahathenna | Ruhuna | Galle | Nawanimulla Hiniduma Galle |
Menikkanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Hiyare East Hiyare Galle |
Midella | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Mihirigeekele | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Millakanda Estat Bulathsinghala |
Miyanawathura Refuse Tea Processing | Ruhuna | Galle | Andaradeniya Estate (Pvt) Ltd Morawaka Road Lelwala |
Modaragoda Kanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Modaragoda Walpola Imaduwa |
Moragalla | Ruhuna | Galle | Moragalla Estate Imaduwa |
Moraketiya | Ruhuna | Galle | Karagodagalle |
Morawaka | Ruhuna | Matara | Morawaka Estate Weliwa Morawaka |
Morawakkorale | Ruhuna | Matara | Kotapola Matara |
Mulatiyana | Ruhuna | Matara | Mulatiyana Junction Mulatiyana |
Mussendapota | Ruhuna | Galle | Mussandapotha Group Wanduramba Galle |
Musvenna | Ruhuna | Galle | Walpolaimaduwa |
Muthuhettigama | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Naindawa | Ruhuna | Galle | Beranagoda Yakkalamulla |
Nandana | Ruhuna | Matara | Akuressa |
Nehinigala | Ruhuna | Galle | Nehinigala Baddegama Galle |
Neluwa Lelwala | Ruhuna | Galle | Lelwala Neluwa Galle |
Neluwa Thiniyawala | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Keeniyawala Neluwa |
Neptune | Ruhuna | Matara | Welihena Bopagoda Akuressa |
New Diyagala | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya Kotapola Matara |
New Gamini | Ruhuna | Matara | Pallegama Raoddeniyaya |
New J. S. P. | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Horawalawelipenna |
New Kandahena | Ruhuna | Matara | |
New Ratnawila | Ruhuna | Matara | |
New Singharaja | Ruhuna | Galle | Sannasgamalellopitiya Ratnapura |
Nil Ella | Ruhuna | Matara | Nill-Ella Tea Factory Kosnilgoda Deniyaya |
Nilgiri | Ruhuna | Matara | Jayabimaparagala Morawaka |
Niluwa/Madagama | Ruhuna | Galle | Neluwa Madagama Tea Factory Neluwa |
Nilwala | Ruhuna | Matara | Kodikaragoda Morawaka |
Omrit | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Paragoda Kanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle Road Paragoda Imaduwa |
Pasgoda | Ruhuna | Matara | Pasgoda Matara |
Pelawatte | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Pelawatte Estate Weerakanda Walallawita |
Perusinghe | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Pimburagala | Ruhuna | Galle | Urala Nagoda Galle |
Pitiagoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Pitiyagoda Estate Nakiyadeniya |
Polgahawila | Ruhuna | Galle | Agaliya Baddegama Galle |
Pothotuwa | Ruhuna | Matara | Beralapanathara |
Ranmeer | Ruhuna | Galle | Ela Ehala Thawalama South Galle |
Ransagoda | Ruhuna | Matara | Ransegoda South Makandura |
Ransavi | Ruhuna | Galle | Panashena Opatha Thawalama |
Rasa | Ruhuna | Matara | Pattigala Beralapanathara |
Rasota | Ruhuna | Galle | Ella Elpitiya Galle |
Rathkanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Keembikandawanduramba Galle |
Ratna | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle |
Ratnayake | Ruhuna | Matara | Rathnayaka Deniyaya |
Rekandahena | Ruhuna | Galle | Rekadahena Estate Kahaduwa |
Richiland | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya |
Rottumba | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Rukkattana | Ruhuna | Galle | Rukatenna Estatenagoda Galle |
S.L.S | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Samrin | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle |
Samro | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Kevitiyagala Polgampola Mathugama |
Sandamadura | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Seetha Eliya | Ruhuna | Matara | Seetha Eliya Tea Factory Kandilpana Deniyaya |
Semidale | Ruhuna | Matara | Henegama Akuressa |
Sihara | Ruhuna | Galle | Singha Stores Thawalama South Galle |
Silvery | Ruhuna | Galle | Nagodagalle |
Singhakawaya | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Sinhakavayaambana Elpitiya |
Singhe Valley | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Singhevalley | Ruhuna | Galle | Opataha Thawalama Galle |
Sirimevana | Ruhuna | Galle | Sirimewana Yakkalamulla |
Sls | Ruhuna | Matara | Malani Watte Hikgoda Akuressa |
South Co-Op | Ruhuna | Matara | Henagama Akuressa |
Southern Porowagama | Ruhuna | Porawagama | |
Southernhill | Ruhuna | Matara | |
Sunrise | Ruhuna | Matara | Sunrise Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd - Beralapanatara |
Susantha | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Bambarawana Mattaka Galle |
Suviska | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle |
Talagaswella | Ruhuna | Galle | Talgaswela Estate Talgaswela |
Talangaha | Ruhuna | Galle | Talangaha Estate |
Talapalakanda | Ruhuna | Matara | Thalapalakanda Beralapanathara |
Talgasyaya | Ruhuna | Galle | Wadiyawatte Narawala Akmeemana |
Tea Shakthi - Deniyaya | Ruhuna | Matara | Kolawenigama Deniyaya |
Tea Shakthi - Mawarala | Ruhuna | Matara | Gomila Mawarala Watte Mawarala |
Tea Shakthi - Walahanduwa | Ruhuna | Galle | Walanduwa |
Tea Shakthi- Elpitiya | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Genegodaelpitiya |
Tellambura | Ruhuna | Galle | Thalgampola |
Thalgampola | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Thammenna | Ruhuna | Matara | Group Link B Waralla |
Thilaka | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Pituwalaelpitiya |
Thiruwanakanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Kottawagamagalle |
Thisara | Ruhuna | Galle | Halpathota Baddegama Galle |
Thotupolawatta | Ruhuna | Galle | Keembiella Baddegama |
Three Times | Ruhuna | Matara | Weliwela Morawaka |
Thundola | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Thundola Walallawita Kalutara |
Tilakahena | Ruhuna | Matara | Colony Roadrotumba Pasgoda |
Tippola | Ruhuna | Matara | Akuressa Matara |
Tritonhills | Ruhuna | Matara | Hakmana Road Mulatiyana Matara |
Udamullagoda | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Udu Ella | Ruhuna | Galle | Magedaragalle |
Unity | Ruhuna | Galle | Panangala Hiniduma Galle |
Upper Homadola | Ruhuna | Galle | Homadola Estate Udugama Galle |
Urubokka | Ruhuna | Matara | Urubokka |
Uruwela | Ruhuna | Matara | Uruwela Estate Akuressa |
Vadiykanda | Ruhuna | Galle | Kattadikanda Imbulgoda Ratnapura |
Walawwatta | Ruhuna | Matara | Walawwatta- Waralla |
Walpita | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Wathuruwila | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Waturawila Elpitiya Galle |
Waulugala | Ruhuna | Galle | Waulugala Group Haupe Imaduwa |
Weewarugoda | Ruhuna | Galle | Nabadawa Yakkalamulla Galle |
Weihena | Ruhuna | Galle | Weihena Baddegama |
Wewegoda | Ruhuna | Galle | |
Wicklow Hills | Ruhuna | Galle | Wicklow Hills Watta Wanduramba |
Widurangala | Ruhuna | Kalutara | |
Wijaya Group | Ruhuna | Galle | Galle |
Wilehena | Ruhuna | Galle | Haupe Galle |
Willie Group | Ruhuna | Matara | Willie Group Deniyaya |
Vinora | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Horagodawatte Baduraliya |
Winwood | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Ratnapura Road Nambapana Ingiriya |
Vogan | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Vogan Estatemathugama Kalutara |
Woodland | Ruhuna | Akuressa | Kiyaduwa Akuressa |
Yahaladuwa | Ruhuna | Galle | Yahaladuwa Estate Nilhena |
Yakkalamulla | Ruhuna | Galle | Yakkalamulla Galle |
Yalta | Ruhuna | Matara | Deniyaya Roadwaralla |
Yattapatha | Ruhuna | Kalutara | Weihena Estatebaddegama Galle |
Source: Sri Lanka Tea Board
Image: http://www.nimtek.co.uk/