In short: Kudamalana is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at 24 metres above sea level and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kudamalana is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an altitude of just 24 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, one of the major players in the global tea trade. Its operator is not currently recorded in public supply-chain databases.
Terroir & Climate
At 24 metres above sea level, Kudamalana sits at the low-elevation end of Sri Lanka's tea geography, close to sea level in the island's southern coastal belt. Estates at this altitude typically experience warmer, more humid conditions year-round than their high-grown counterparts, with less diurnal temperature variation. The Southern Province's proximity to the equator and maritime influence generally means consistent rainfall and relatively stable temperatures, factors that tend to support vigorous, fast-growing tea plants.
Low-grown Sri Lankan tea estates in this climatic zone often produce leaf that matures quickly, with shorter intervals between pluckings. The warmth and moisture typical of the region tend to favour high vegetative growth, though estates at this elevation are generally understood to yield teas with less aromatic complexity than those grown in the cooler, slower conditions of the central highlands. The terroir is shaped less by altitude-driven stress and more by the interplay of soil type, rainfall distribution, and the cultivars selected for these lowland conditions.
Tea Produced
Kudamalana produces black tea. Low-grown black teas from Sri Lanka's Southern Province typically yield a cup that is robust, brisk and full-bodied, with good colour and strength. Estates at this elevation often produce teas valued more for their consistency and blending utility than for nuanced aromatics; the quicker maturation cycle common at sea level generally results in leaf that delivers body and depth rather than the bright, floral or citrus notes associated with high-grown Ceylon. The profile tends to suit buyers seeking reliable, strong base teas for blends and everyday drinking.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kudamalana is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea and horticulture business with a significant presence in the Sri Lankan tea sector. Finlays operates estates, factories and blending facilities, and sources from a wide network of producers across major origins. The presence of Finlays as a known buyer suggests that Kudamalana's output is channelled into a supply chain serving international tea brands and packers, rather than being sold primarily through the Colombo auction. This relationship typically reflects consistent quality standards and volumes aligned with the requirements of large-scale buyers operating across multiple markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kudamalana lies at 6.2454, 80.2723 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 24 m elevation is the joint 96th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella — under 1 km away
- Sirimevana — under 1 km away
- Evergreen Group, Evergreen — 2.8 km away
- Golden Garden Estate — 2.9 km away · Thallgaswala
- Sineth — 3.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kudamalana
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kudamalana (24 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kudamalana recorded 3,157 mm in 2025, 11% more than the 2,837 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horana Plantations, Mihirigeekele | Western Province, Sri Lanka | 24 m | 4,024 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Chandpur Belgaon tea Estate Factory | Chattogram, Bangladesh | 25 m | 2,165 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Lalchand tea Factory | Habiganj, Bangladesh | 23 m | 1,852 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Kayu Aro | Jambi, Indonesia | 23 m | 4,698 mm | 30.4 °C |
| Shogyoken Seicha Co Ltd | 54 Kusauchi Miyanogo Kyotanabeshi, Japan | 23 m | 1,448 mm | 21.4 °C |
Kudamalana Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Kudamalana is wetter than 59% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 76% of the others by elevation; warmer than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kudamalana 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 | Kudamalana | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 24 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,157 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.6 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Kudamalana (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kudamalana’s coordinates recorded 3,157 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (515 mm) and the driest was February (65 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.0 °C and overnight lows 22.6 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,157 mm |
| Wettest month | November (515 mm) |
| Driest month | February (65 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kudamalana located?
Kudamalana is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2454, 80.2723, at an elevation of about 24 metres.
What type of tea does Kudamalana produce?
Kudamalana is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kudamalana supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kudamalana as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kudamalana receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,157 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (515 mm).
How does Kudamalana compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kudamalana recorded 3,157 mm in 2025, 11% more rain than the 2,837 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].