In short: Thisara is a black tea estate in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka at 20 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Thisara is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at approximately 20 metres above sea level. The operator of the estate is not recorded in available industry data. Thisara is known to supply Finlays, one of the largest tea merchants and packers in the global supply chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 20 metres elevation, Thisara sits in Sri Lanka's low-grown tea belt, where warm, humid conditions prevail year-round. Estates at this altitude typically experience faster leaf growth and shorter plucking cycles than their high-grown counterparts, with the tropical coastal climate encouraging vigorous vegetative development. The Southern Province generally receives substantial rainfall, and temperatures at sea level tend to remain consistently high, which can contribute to a more rapid flush.
Low-grown Ceylon teas are often shaped by the interplay of heat, moisture, and soil fertility. Estates in this elevation band typically produce leaf that is robust and quick to mature, and the processing window tends to be shorter. The proximity to sea level and the Southern Province's monsoon patterns generally mean that seasonal variation is less pronounced than in the hill country, though local microclimates can still influence harvest timing.
Tea Produced
Thisara produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon black teas typically yield a full-bodied cup with good strength and colour, often described as brisk and assertive rather than delicate. Estates at this elevation generally produce leaf that processes into teas with a robust, malty character and a darker liquor, well suited to blending and to markets that favour a strong morning brew. The style is generally less nuanced than high-grown Ceylon but prized for consistency and body.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Thisara is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major vertically integrated tea business with global sourcing, blending, and packing operations. Finlays serves retail and foodservice clients across multiple continents, and its supplier base spans the principal origins. The presence of Thisara in Finlays' supply chain suggests the estate produces tea of sufficient volume and consistency to meet the quality and traceability standards of a large-scale multinational buyer, and that its low-grown black tea is likely destined for blends sold in mainstream retail and catering markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Thisara lies at 6.1775, 80.1522 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 20 m elevation is the joint 105th 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 — 3.2 km away · Baddegama
- Galle Gangaboda — 3.2 km away
- Mussendapota — 3.2 km away
- Thotupalawatta — 3.2 km away
- Agilma — 6.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Thisara
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Thisara (20 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Thisara recorded 3,346 mm in 2025, 24% more than the 2,698 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bisssh tea (M/S) | Khulna, Bangladesh | 20 m | 1,778 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Langla Tea Estate Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 20 m | 2,429 mm | 29.9 °C |
| Alhewana Tea factory | Western Province, Sri Lanka | 20 m | 3,823 mm | 29.5 °C |
| Bulathsinhala | Western Province, Sri Lanka | 21 m | 3,991 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Zhejiang Chunan New Continent Tea Co. Ltd. | Xihu Dadao, China | 17 m | 1,470 mm | 24.3 °C |
Thisara Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Thisara is wetter than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 80% of the others by elevation; cooler than 74% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Thisara 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 | Thisara | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 20 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 Thisara (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Thisara’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 Thisara located?
Thisara is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1775, 80.1522, at an elevation of about 20 metres.
What type of tea does Thisara produce?
Thisara is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Thisara supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Thisara as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Thisara receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,346 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (428 mm).
How does Thisara compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Thisara recorded 3,346 mm in 2025, 24% more rain than the 2,698 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].