In short: Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is a black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at 142 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is a black tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 142 metres. The estate is operated under the name Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, the international tea and beverage trader.
Terroir & Climate
At 142 metres above sea level, this estate sits well below the elevations typically associated with Sri Lanka's most celebrated high-grown districts. Low-elevation tea gardens in the island's tropical lowlands generally experience warmer ambient temperatures, higher humidity, and more consistent year-round rainfall, conditions that tend to accelerate vegetative growth and yield cycle. The relatively flat terrain and proximity to sea level often mean that the estate benefits from moisture carried inland by monsoonal systems, though the faster flush rates characteristic of low-grown Ceylon teas can result in less nuanced leaf development compared to estates at higher altitude.
Sabaragamuwa Province straddles central and south-western Sri Lanka, a zone that typically receives substantial precipitation and remains warm throughout the year. Estates in this region at comparable elevations often produce teas suited to blending and volume markets, where strength and colour in the cup are prioritised over the delicate aromatics cultivated at cooler altitudes. The lack of significant diurnal temperature variation at this elevation generally limits the concentration of certain flavour compounds, though it supports vigorous and reliable cropping.
Tea Produced
As a black tea producer at low elevation, Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is likely to yield teas with robust body, pronounced colour, and straightforward, malty character. Low-grown Ceylon blacks from estates in this altitude band typically exhibit strength and briskness rather than the floral or citrus notes found in high-grown offerings. The liquor tends to be full-bodied and well-suited to blending applications, particularly for breakfast-style infusions where depth and tannin structure are valued. Estates at this elevation generally produce teas that perform reliably in commercial blends rather than as single-origin speciality lots.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Finlays is recorded as a buyer from Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama, situating the estate within a supply chain that serves both retail blenders and foodservice channels globally. Finlays operates a diversified sourcing network across major tea origins and typically aggregates volume from multiple estates to meet the specifications of multinational brands and private-label programmes. The connection suggests that this estate's output is oriented toward reliable, cost-competitive production rather than the premium single-estate market.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama lies at 6.9603, 80.3120 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 142 m elevation is the 48th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Bogawantalawa Plantations, Illuktenne — 2.4 km away
- Kolonna — 4.0 km away
- Kithulgala — 8.4 km away
- Misa, Garden Leaf — 9.6 km away
- Noori — 11 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama (142 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama recorded 4,426 mm in 2025, 74% more than the 2,538 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAJULI | Assam, India | 142 m | 1,742 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Bogapani Tea Estate | Tinsukia, India | 142 m | 2,617 mm | 28.7 °C |
| Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 143 m | 3,902 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Evergreen Group, Karawita | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 144 m | 3,214 mm | 29.6 °C |
| Anhui Huangshan United Keemun Tea Co., Ltd. - Factory | Huangshan City, China | 137 m | 1,216 mm | 24.9 °C |
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is wetter than 82% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 64% of the others by elevation; warmer than 86% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama 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 | Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 142 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,426 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama’s coordinates recorded 4,426 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (665 mm) and the driest was February (52 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.2 °C and overnight lows 21.6 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,426 mm |
| Wettest month | November (665 mm) |
| Driest month | February (52 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama located?
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9603, 80.3120, at an elevation of about 142 metres.
Who operates Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama?
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is operated by Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama produce?
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,426 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (665 mm).
How does Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama recorded 4,426 mm in 2025, 74% more rain than the 2,538 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].
