In short: Dediyagala is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at 26 metres above sea level and known to supply Finlays.
Dediyagala is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at an elevation of just 26 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the established names in the global tea trade. The operator of the estate is not currently identified in trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 26 metres above sea level, Dediyagala sits within the low-elevation band of Sri Lankan tea cultivation, a zone that typically experiences warmer temperatures and faster leaf growth than the island's celebrated high-grown districts. Estates at this altitude generally operate in a humid, tropical climate with less diurnal temperature variation, conditions that tend to favour vigorous vegetative growth and year-round production cycles.
The Southern Province's coastal proximity and low elevation typically result in a growing environment that encourages rapid leaf development. Teas from this elevation band in Sri Lanka often exhibit the robust, full-bodied character associated with low-grown Ceylon teas, shaped by warmth, moisture, and the mineral composition of soils at near-sea-level altitudes.
Tea Produced
Dediyagala produces black tea, the dominant style across Sri Lanka's low-elevation zones. Estates at this altitude in the Southern Province typically yield teas with a strong, malty cup profile, good colour, and the weight and body that low-grown Ceylon leaf is known for in blending applications. These teas often lack the floral brightness of high-elevation Ceylon but tend to offer depth, strength, and consistency valued by commercial buyers.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Dediyagala is recorded as supplying Finlays, a significant player in the global tea supply chain with operations spanning production, blending, and distribution. This connection suggests the estate's output is integrated into a commercial network serving international brands and retail markets, where low-grown Ceylon blacks are often deployed for their strength and blending versatility.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Dediyagala lies at 6.1532, 80.4208 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 26 m elevation is the joint 91st highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Ruhunuputha — 3.5 km away
- Lenama Hills — 5.0 km away
- S.L.S — 6.2 km away
- Uduella — 6.7 km away
- Fairyland — 6.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Dediyagala
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Dediyagala (26 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Dediyagala recorded 2,891 mm in 2025, 9% more than the 2,644 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hangzhou Kainong Factory | Zhejiang, China | 26 m | 1,280 mm | 24.8 °C |
| BHUBRIGHAT TEA ESTATE | ASSAM, India | 26 m | 3,022 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Agalawatte Plantations, Doloswella | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 26 m | 4,458 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Chandpur Belgaon tea Estate Factory | Chattogram, Bangladesh | 25 m | 2,165 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Premnagar Tea Estate | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 25 m | 2,296 mm | 30.2 °C |
Dediyagala Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Dediyagala is drier than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 69% of the others by elevation; warmer than 92% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Dediyagala against the 133 other estates we map in Southern Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Dediyagala | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 26 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,891 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.4 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.4 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Dediyagala (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Dediyagala’s coordinates recorded 2,891 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (469 mm) and the driest was February (80 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.4 °C and overnight lows 22.4 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,891 mm |
| Wettest month | November (469 mm) |
| Driest month | February (80 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dediyagala located?
Dediyagala is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1532, 80.4208, at an elevation of about 26 metres.
What type of tea does Dediyagala produce?
Dediyagala is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Dediyagala supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Dediyagala as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Dediyagala receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,891 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (469 mm).
How does Dediyagala compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Dediyagala recorded 2,891 mm in 2025, 9% more rain than the 2,644 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].