In short: Kalawana, Rain Forest is a low-grown black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at 210 metres elevation, operated by Kalawana and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kalawana, Rain Forest is a black tea estate situated in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 210 metres. The estate is operated by Kalawana and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea trader and blender.
Terroir & Climate
At 210 metres above sea level, Kalawana, Rain Forest sits firmly in Sri Lanka's low-grown tea zone, where estates typically experience warmer temperatures and faster vegetative growth than their high-elevation counterparts. This altitude and the estate's tropical latitude near 6.5°N generally favour year-round cropping, with flush cycles driven more by rainfall distribution than by seasonal temperature variation.
Low-grown estates in Sabaragamuwa Province tend to benefit from consistent warmth and humidity, conditions that typically encourage vigorous leaf development and higher yields per hectare. The 210-metre elevation generally results in a quicker maturation of shoots, and the leaf character at this altitude often reflects the influence of heat and moisture rather than the slower, cooler accumulation of compounds seen at higher elevations.
Tea Produced
Kalawana, Rain Forest produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon black teas from this altitude band typically yield full-bodied, robust liquors with bold flavour and good colour, characteristics that often make them well suited to blending. Estates at similar elevations in Sri Lanka tend to produce teas with less aromatic complexity than high-grown marks but with strength and briskness that appeal to buyers seeking body and consistency in volume supply.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea companies, which sources extensively across Sri Lanka for its blending and private-label operations. This relationship suggests that Kalawana, Rain Forest is positioned within the mainstream commercial supply chain, likely contributing volume black tea to blends destined for international retail and foodservice markets. Finlays' presence as a buyer typically indicates a requirement for consistent quality and the ability to meet traceability and compliance standards expected by downstream brand owners.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Kalawana. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in the directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kalawana, Rain Forest lies at 6.5429, 80.3136 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 210 m elevation is the 31st highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Ayagama — 7.4 km away
- Ceciliyan — 7.9 km away
- Palindanuwara — 8.9 km away · Western Province
- Hedigalla — 9.1 km away · Western Province
- Baduraeliya — 9.2 km away · Western Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kalawana, Rain Forest
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kalawana, Rain Forest (210 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kalawana, Rain Forest recorded 3,348 mm in 2025, 64% more than the 2,046 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabay\u00a0Tea Factory And Plantations | Jardín América, Argentina | 207 m | 2,073 mm | 27.4 °C |
| Wellstand Tea Leaves Co., Ltd. | Pingzhen Dist, Taiwan | 207 m | 2,330 mm | 26.5 °C |
| Long Tai Tea Products Co., Ltd. | Mingjian Township, Taiwan | 206 m | 2,279 mm | 28.1 °C |
| Coop.Agri.Ltda.Ruiz De Montoya | Misiones, Argentina | 202 m | 1,841 mm | 27.4 °C |
| Huzhou Jiasheng Tea Co., Ltd. | Zhejiang, China | 221 m | 1,708 mm | 22.1 °C |
Kalawana, Rain Forest Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Kalawana, Rain Forest is drier than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 59% of the others by elevation; cooler than 59% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kalawana, Rain Forest against the 74 other estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kalawana, Rain Forest | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 210 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,348 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.4 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.9 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kalawana, Rain Forest (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kalawana, Rain Forest’s coordinates recorded 3,348 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (558 mm) and the driest was February (49 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.4 °C and overnight lows 21.9 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,348 mm |
| Wettest month | November (558 mm) |
| Driest month | February (49 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kalawana, Rain Forest located?
Kalawana, Rain Forest is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.5429, 80.3136, at an elevation of about 210 metres.
Who operates Kalawana, Rain Forest?
Kalawana, Rain Forest is operated by Kalawana, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kalawana, Rain Forest produce?
Kalawana, Rain Forest is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kalawana, Rain Forest supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kalawana, Rain Forest as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kalawana, Rain Forest receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,348 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (558 mm).
How does Kalawana, Rain Forest compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kalawana, Rain Forest recorded 3,348 mm in 2025, 64% more rain than the 2,046 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].