In short: Hedigalla is a low-elevation tea estate in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at 90 metres above sea level, recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Hedigalla is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Western Province, at an elevation of 90 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major international tea trader and blender. The operator of the estate is not publicly documented in available supply-chain records.
Terroir & Climate
At 90 metres above sea level, Hedigalla occupies a position in Sri Lanka's low-country tea belt, where estates typically experience warm, humid conditions throughout the year. This low elevation and proximity to the equator generally favour rapid vegetative growth, with estates in this zone often able to harvest year-round. The warmth and moisture tend to encourage a faster flush cycle than is typical at higher altitudes, and the leaf produced is often more robust in structure.
Western Province's low-grown estates are usually characterised by a wet, tropical microclimate, with rainfall patterns that can support continuous cropping. The combination of heat and humidity at this elevation generally results in a vigorous bush and a leaf that develops quickly. Such conditions tend to yield teas with a fuller body and a more straightforward, malty character, though much depends on processing and the specific cultivars grown.
Tea Produced
Hedigalla produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon teas from estates at this elevation typically yield a strong, full-bodied cup with malty and occasionally earthy notes. The character is generally less nuanced than that of high-grown teas, but the liquor tends to be robust and well-suited to blending, particularly for breakfast-style teas and those destined for milk-based preparations. Estates in the low country often contribute base notes and strength to commercial blends.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Hedigalla is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the world's leading tea and coffee businesses, which sources, blends, and distributes tea for major retail and food-service brands globally. This connection places Hedigalla within the mainstream of Sri Lanka's export supply chain, suggesting that its output is likely destined for international blending programmes rather than single-origin retail. Finlays' involvement typically indicates integration into high-volume, quality-controlled procurement networks serving multinational buyers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Hedigalla lies at 6.4680, 80.2799 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 90 m elevation is the 4th highest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Palindanuwara — under 1 km away
- Baduraeliya — 7.5 km away
- Aruna — 9.1 km away
- Kalawana, Rain Forest — 9.1 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
- Renukanda Tea Estate — 9.7 km away · B158
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Hedigalla
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Hedigalla (90 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Hedigalla recorded 3,756 mm in 2025, 21% more than the 3,105 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behora Tea Estate | Golaghat, India | 90 m | 2,552 mm | 28.3 °C |
| Nilwala | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 90 m | 2,875 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Nya Gogra Tea Estate | No.1 Naya Ghagra, India | 89 m | 2,618 mm | 28.4 °C |
| Kolonna | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 89 m | 4,426 mm | 30.3 °C |
| Emperial Tea Estate Ltd. | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 93 m | 3,056 mm | 28.8 °C |
Hedigalla Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Hedigalla is drier than 52% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; cooler than 81% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Hedigalla against the 21 other estates we map in Western Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Hedigalla | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 90 m | 21 m | 9 to 1,272 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,756 mm | 3,822 mm | 2,624 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.4 °C | 29.7 °C | 22.7 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C | 22.4 °C | 15.8 to 23.6 °C |
Observed Climate at Hedigalla (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Hedigalla’s coordinates recorded 3,756 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (513 mm) and the driest was February (81 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.4 °C and overnight lows 22.5 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,756 mm |
| Wettest month | November (513 mm) |
| Driest month | February (81 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hedigalla located?
Hedigalla is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.4680, 80.2799, at an elevation of about 90 metres.
What type of tea does Hedigalla produce?
Hedigalla is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Hedigalla supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Hedigalla as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Hedigalla receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,756 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (513 mm).
How does Hedigalla compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Hedigalla recorded 3,756 mm in 2025, 21% more rain than the 3,105 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].