In short: Galle Gangaboda is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, situated at approximately 10 metres above sea level and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Galle Gangaboda is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an altitude of approximately 10 metres above sea level. The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea processor and distributor. Situated near sea level in a region better known for coastal geography than highland tea cultivation, Galle Gangaboda produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At just 10 metres above sea level, Galle Gangaboda occupies one of the lowest elevations at which tea is commercially cultivated in Sri Lanka. Estates at this altitude typically experience warmer, more humid conditions year-round compared to the island's celebrated highlands, with less diurnal temperature variation. The Southern Province's coastal proximity generally brings consistent warmth and moisture, conditions that tend to accelerate vegetative growth and can yield a more rapid flush cycle.
Low-elevation tea cultivation in tropical latitudes such as this generally favours vigorous leaf production, though the limited temperature swing between day and night often results in less biochemical complexity in the harvested leaf compared to high-grown counterparts. Estates near sea level in Sri Lanka's south typically contend with higher ambient temperatures and humidity, factors that tend to influence both agronomic practice and the oxidation behaviour of fresh leaf during black tea manufacture.
Tea Produced
Galle Gangaboda produces black tea. Estates at very low elevations in Sri Lanka's Southern Province typically yield teas with a straightforward, robust character—often fuller in body and more assertive in strength than the nuanced, bright profiles associated with high-grown Ceylon teas. The cup profile at this altitude generally tends towards darker liquor, a malty or earthy base, and relatively less floral complexity, attributes that are common in low-grown black teas from warm, humid terroir.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Galle Gangaboda is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea packers and a significant intermediary in the global tea supply chain. Finlays sources leaf and made tea from numerous origins for blending, private-label packing, and distribution to retail and foodservice markets internationally. The estate's relationship with a buyer of this scale suggests its production is destined for commercial blends rather than single-estate or specialty retail channels, a market position typical of many low-elevation estates in Sri Lanka.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Galle Gangaboda lies at 6.1688, 80.1794 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 10 m elevation is the joint 126th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- BADDEGAMA IDIGASKATIYA — under 1 km away · Baddegama
- Mussendapota — under 1 km away
- Thotupalawatta — under 1 km away
- Thisara — 3.2 km away
- Weihena — 3.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Galle Gangaboda
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Galle Gangaboda (10 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Galle Gangaboda recorded 3,346 mm in 2025, 63% more than the 2,054 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neptune Tea Estates Limited | Chattogram, Bangladesh | 10 m | 2,233 mm | 29.8 °C |
| Zhejiang Shanming Tea Co., Ltd. | Zhuji City, China | 10 m | 1,401 mm | 23.0 °C |
| SSK Exports Limited | 1ST FLOOR, India | 10 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
| Parisons Estate And Industries Private Limited | West Bengal, India | 10 m | 1,951 mm | 31.3 °C |
| Nuwaraeliya Tea Estate | Colombo, Sri Lanka | 10 m | 2,828 mm | 29.9 °C |
Galle Gangaboda Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Galle Gangaboda is wetter than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 95% of the others by elevation; cooler than 74% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Galle Gangaboda 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 | Galle Gangaboda | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 10 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,346 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.7 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Galle Gangaboda (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Galle Gangaboda’s coordinates recorded 3,346 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (428 mm) and the driest was February (107 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.5 °C and overnight lows 23.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,346 mm |
| Wettest month | November (428 mm) |
| Driest month | February (107 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Galle Gangaboda located?
Galle Gangaboda is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1688, 80.1794, at an elevation of about 10 metres.
What type of tea does Galle Gangaboda produce?
Galle Gangaboda is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Galle Gangaboda supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Galle Gangaboda as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Galle Gangaboda receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,346 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (428 mm).
How does Galle Gangaboda compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Galle Gangaboda recorded 3,346 mm in 2025, 63% more rain than the 2,054 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].