Uruwela

Uruwela is a tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at an elevation of just 24 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major international tea and coffee company. The operator of the estate is not currently documented in public records.

Terroir & Climate

At 24 metres elevation, Uruwela sits firmly within Sri Lanka's low-grown category, which extends from sea level to approximately 600 metres. Estates at this altitude in the tropical Southern Province typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with less diurnal temperature variation than their counterparts in the central highlands. The warmth and consistent moisture generally promote vigorous vegetative growth and high-yielding bushes, though the leaf metabolism differs markedly from that of high-elevation gardens.

Low-grown Sri Lankan estates tend to produce teas that prioritise strength and colour over the aromatic complexity associated with high altitude. The lower elevation and warmer nights usually result in faster leaf maturation, which can yield robust liquor and brisk character rather than the delicate, nuanced profiles often sought from high-grown Ceylon teas. Proximity to the coast in the Southern Province may also influence local humidity and rainfall patterns, though specific microclimatic conditions vary considerably between individual estates.

Tea Produced

Uruwela produces black tea. Low-grown black teas from Sri Lanka's Southern Province generally yield a bold, full-bodied cup with pronounced colour and astringency. Estates at this elevation tend to deliver teas suited to blending for strength and consistency rather than single-origin premium offerings, though quality can vary widely depending on processing and plucking standards. The cup profile is typically described as brisk and robust, with less of the bright, floral aromatics that characterise high-grown Ceylon grades.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Uruwela is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea and coffee company with estates, processing facilities, and blending operations across multiple continents. Finlays sources both from its own holdings and from third-party growers, positioning itself as a bulk supplier to major international tea brands and foodservice customers. The relationship suggests that Uruwela's output is likely directed into commercial blends and value segments of the global tea market, where consistency, strength, and competitive pricing are prioritised.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Uruwela lies at 6.1353, 80.4907 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:

• Fairyland — 1.5 km away
• Galagawa — 1.9 km away
• Gunawardena — 3.3 km away
• S.L.S — 3.6 km away
• Tippola — 4.2 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Uruwela

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Uruwela (24 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Uruwela recorded 2,584 mm in 2025, 20% less than the 3,236 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
Ayesh	Southern Province, Sri Lanka	24 m	3,440 mm	29.8 °C
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

Uruwela Compared with Southern Province

In Southern Province, Uruwela is drier than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 76% of the others by elevation; warmer than 92% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Uruwela 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	Uruwela	Region median	Region range
Elevation	24 m	49 m	6 to 806 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	2,584 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	22.5 °C	22.6 °C	18.2 to 24.1 °C

Observed Climate at Uruwela (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Uruwela’s coordinates recorded 2,584 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (442 mm) and the driest was February (50 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.4 °C and overnight lows 22.5 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	2,584 mm
Wettest month	November (442 mm)
Driest month	February (50 mm)
Mean daily high	30.4 °C
Mean overnight low	22.5 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Uruwela located?

Uruwela is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1353, 80.4907, at an elevation of about 24 metres.

What type of tea does Uruwela produce?

Uruwela is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Uruwela supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Uruwela as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Uruwela receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,584 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (442 mm).

How does Uruwela compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Uruwela recorded 2,584 mm in 2025, 20% less rain than the 3,236 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].