In short: Veddagala is a tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, operating at 319 metres elevation and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Veddagala is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 319 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the established names in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 319 metres elevation, Veddagala sits within the low-grown tea zone of Sri Lanka, where the tropical climate typically delivers warm, humid conditions year-round. Estates at this altitude generally experience faster leaf growth compared to their high-elevation counterparts, with more consistent yields across the calendar. The Sabaragamuwa Province's low-lying terroir tends to produce fuller-bodied leaf, shaped by the region's characteristic warmth and moisture.
Low-grown Sri Lankan estates often benefit from richer soils and more vigorous flush cycles, though they may face greater pressure from pests and disease in the humid lowland environment. The latitude—just north of the equator—means minimal seasonal temperature variation, and the interplay of monsoon patterns typically influences the character and volume of the crop more than elevation-driven dormancy.
Tea Produced
Veddagala produces black tea, the style that has long defined Sri Lankan output for export markets. Low-grown Ceylon blacks from estates at this elevation typically yield a robust, full-bodied cup with good colour and strength, though they generally lack the delicate aromatics and brightness associated with teas from the central highlands. The faster-growing leaf common at lower altitudes often translates to a maltier, more straightforward character in the cup, well suited to blending and to markets that prioritise body and consistency over nuance.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Veddagala is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with extensive sourcing, blending, and distribution operations across major consuming markets. This connection suggests that the estate's output is channelled into a supply chain serving retail brands, foodservice, and out-of-home sectors where volume, consistency, and competitive pricing are key. Finlays' presence as a buyer typically indicates that an estate's production meets the standards required for international blending and private-label programmes.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Veddagala lies at 6.4616, 80.4365 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 319 m elevation is the 23rd highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Gangalagamuwa — under 1 km away
- Wewelkandura — 7.6 km away
- Haughton — 7.9 km away
- New Vithanakanda — 8.6 km away
- Aennen — 9.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Veddagala
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Veddagala (319 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Veddagala recorded 3,368 mm in 2025, 95% more than the 1,729 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Treinta | Misiones province, Argentina | 319 m | 1,816 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Rohini Tea Estate | Subash Ghisingh Marg, India | 319 m | 2,269 mm | 27.0 °C |
| ZTG Qinliu Tea Base | Fujian Province, China | 316 m | 1,643 mm | 25.8 °C |
| KT | Misiones, Argentina | 325 m | 1,896 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Waterfall Tea Estate | Valparai, India | 313 m | 1,020 mm | 32.1 °C |
Veddagala Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Veddagala is drier than 55% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 70% of the others by elevation; cooler than 72% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Veddagala 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 | Veddagala | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 319 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,368 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.6 °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 Veddagala (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Veddagala’s coordinates recorded 3,368 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (562 mm) and the driest was February (71 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.6 °C and overnight lows 21.6 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,368 mm |
| Wettest month | November (562 mm) |
| Driest month | February (71 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Veddagala located?
Veddagala is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.4616, 80.4365, at an elevation of about 319 metres.
What type of tea does Veddagala produce?
Veddagala is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Veddagala supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Veddagala as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Veddagala receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,368 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (562 mm).
How does Veddagala compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Veddagala recorded 3,368 mm in 2025, 95% more rain than the 1,729 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].