In short: Kurunduwatta is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, situated at 36 metres above sea level, known to supply Finlays.
Kurunduwatta is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an altitude of just 36 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a significant player in the global tea trade. The operator of the estate is not publicly documented in available trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 36 metres above sea level, Kurunduwatta sits within the low-country tea-growing zone of Sri Lanka, where the tropical lowland climate typically delivers warm, humid conditions year-round. Estates at this elevation generally experience less diurnal temperature variation than their high-grown counterparts, and the warmer ambient temperatures tend to accelerate leaf growth and flush cycles. The Southern Province's proximity to the coast often subjects plantations to monsoonal rainfall patterns, which can influence both yield and the intensity of flavour compounds in the manufactured leaf.
Low-elevation Ceylon teas are commonly associated with faster oxidation during processing, a function of both leaf chemistry and ambient temperature. The character that emerges from estates in this altitudinal band is typically bolder and more robust than the delicate, bright profiles of high-grown Ceylon. While specific soil composition and microclimate vary from site to site, the warm, consistent growing conditions at this latitude and elevation generally favour high productivity and teas suited to blending and everyday consumption.
Tea Produced
Kurunduwatta produces black tea, the dominant style manufactured across Sri Lanka's low-country estates. Teas from the Southern Province at this elevation typically yield a full-bodied cup with good colour and strength, though generally less aromatic complexity than high-grown Ceylon. The profile tends toward malty, brisk notes with a straightforward, assertive character that performs well in blends and is often favoured for breakfast-style infusions. Low-grown Ceylon blacks of this type are widely used by international blenders seeking body and consistency rather than the bright, nuanced top notes associated with estates above 1,200 metres.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kurunduwatta is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and beverage companies with significant sourcing, blending, and distribution operations across multiple continents. Finlays' presence in the supply chain indicates that the estate's output is likely channelled into commercial blends destined for retail and foodservice markets, where consistency, strength, and cost-effectiveness are prioritised. This relationship positions Kurunduwatta within the volume-oriented segment of the Ceylon tea industry, serving buyers who require reliable, everyday-quality black tea rather than specialty or estate-specific lots.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kurunduwatta lies at 6.0797, 80.2794 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 36 m elevation is the 76th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Golden Leaf — under 1 km away
- Captain Garden — 1.1 km away
- Liyota, Lickra — 2.2 km away
- Thalgampola — 2.9 km away
- New Kottawa Valley — 3.3 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kurunduwatta
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kurunduwatta (36 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kurunduwatta recorded 3,195 mm in 2025, 55% more than the 2,060 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KURMAH TEA FACTORY | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 36 m | 2,057 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Chotolekha Tea Estate Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 37 m | 3,054 mm | 29.9 °C |
| Hunan Tea Group, Corporate | Hunan, China | 35 m | 1,348 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Shimen Liziping Tea Professional Cooperative (Shimen Liziping) | Xiangcha High-Tech Industrial Park Xiangcha, China | 35 m | 1,348 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Mulatiyana Tea \u00a0Factory | B98, Sri Lanka | 35 m | 2,491 mm | 30.4 °C |
Kurunduwatta Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Kurunduwatta is wetter than 62% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 56% of the others by elevation; cooler than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kurunduwatta 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 | Kurunduwatta | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 36 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,195 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.6 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.0 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Kurunduwatta (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kurunduwatta’s coordinates recorded 3,195 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (526 mm) and the driest was February (77 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.6 °C and overnight lows 23.0 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,195 mm |
| Wettest month | November (526 mm) |
| Driest month | February (77 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kurunduwatta located?
Kurunduwatta is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.0797, 80.2794, at an elevation of about 36 metres.
What type of tea does Kurunduwatta produce?
Kurunduwatta is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kurunduwatta supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kurunduwatta as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kurunduwatta receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,195 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (526 mm).
How does Kurunduwatta compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kurunduwatta recorded 3,195 mm in 2025, 55% more rain than the 2,060 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].