In short: Nawagamuwahena is a black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, situated at 120 metres above sea level and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Nawagamuwahena is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 120 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea and beverage merchant. The operator of the estate is not publicly documented in available supply-chain records.
Terroir & Climate
At 120 metres altitude, Nawagamuwahena occupies low-elevation terrain characteristic of Sri Lanka's wet zone. Estates at this latitude and elevation typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with high rainfall distributed across two monsoon periods. Such low-grown environments generally favour rapid vegetative growth and high cropping volumes, with minimal temperature-driven dormancy.
The warmth and moisture at this elevation tend to produce vigorous, broad-leafed growth that can be plucked frequently. Low-grown Sri Lankan teas are typically processed to yield robust, full-bodied liquors rather than the aromatic complexity associated with higher-altitude gardens. Sabaragamuwa's lowland terroir is generally conducive to estates focused on consistency and volume for blending markets.
Tea Produced
Nawagamuwahena produces black tea. Low-elevation black teas from Sri Lanka typically yield strong, brisk cups with good colour and body, though they tend to be less aromatic than high-grown Ceylon teas. Estates at this altitude often supply leaf suited to blending for mainstream markets, where strength, colour, and consistency are prioritised over floral or high-notes character. The style is generally robust and straightforward, with a malty or earthy base.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Nawagamuwahena is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with extensive blending, packing, and distribution operations across global markets. This relationship places the estate within a commercial supply chain serving major retail and foodservice buyers. Finlays' sourcing footprint in Sri Lanka encompasses estates across elevation bands, and the presence of a low-grown supplier such as Nawagamuwahena is consistent with demand for base teas in high-volume blends destined for everyday tea bags and catering channels.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Nawagamuwahena lies at 6.6640, 80.4841 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 120 m elevation is the joint 52nd highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KDU, Matuwagalla — under 1 km away
- KDU, Peekview — under 1 km away
- KDU, Galpaditenne — under 1 km away
- Spring View — 1.3 km away
- Ferndale — 4.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Nawagamuwahena
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Nawagamuwahena (120 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Nawagamuwahena recorded 3,902 mm in 2025, 64% more than the 2,376 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyhung Tea Estate | Assam, India | 120 m | 3,374 mm | 28.1 °C |
| Desam Tea Estate | Tairai Gaon, India | 120 m | 2,515 mm | 28.5 °C |
| Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 3,054 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Ceyenta | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 2,624 mm | 29.9 °C |
| I \u0026 M Smith | Western Cape, South Africa | 124 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
Nawagamuwahena Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Nawagamuwahena is wetter than 61% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 72% of the others by elevation; cooler than 53% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Nawagamuwahena 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 | Nawagamuwahena | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 120 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,902 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.0 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Nawagamuwahena (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Nawagamuwahena’s coordinates recorded 3,902 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (576 mm) and the driest was February (59 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.5 °C and overnight lows 22.0 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,902 mm |
| Wettest month | November (576 mm) |
| Driest month | February (59 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nawagamuwahena located?
Nawagamuwahena is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.6640, 80.4841, at an elevation of about 120 metres.
What type of tea does Nawagamuwahena produce?
Nawagamuwahena is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Nawagamuwahena supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Nawagamuwahena as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Nawagamuwahena receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,902 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (576 mm).
How does Nawagamuwahena compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Nawagamuwahena recorded 3,902 mm in 2025, 64% more rain than the 2,376 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].