In short: Palindanuwara is a black tea estate in Western Province, Sri Lanka, situated at 78 metres above sea level and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Palindanuwara is a tea estate located in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 78 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the major buyers and processors active in the Sri Lankan tea trade. The operating company is not currently documented in available trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 78 metres above sea level, Palindanuwara occupies a low-elevation position typical of Sri Lanka's coastal and near-coastal tea-growing zones. Estates at this altitude generally experience warmer ambient temperatures and higher humidity than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to encourage faster leaf growth and year-round production with limited seasonal dormancy. The Western Province climate is typically characterised by substantial rainfall influenced by both monsoon systems, which generally supports vigorous vegetative growth.
Low-grown Sri Lankan estates such as this one often contend with higher rates of transpiration and different pest and disease pressures compared to higher elevations. The warm, moist environment tends to favour rapid shoot development, which can support high yields but may also result in leaf chemistry that differs from the slower-matured, more astringent profiles associated with high-altitude gardens. Terroir at this elevation typically emphasises body and strength over the delicate aromatics found in upcountry teas.
Tea Produced
Palindanuwara produces black tea. Low-grown black teas from Sri Lanka's coastal and low-lying zones typically yield a cup that is full-bodied, brisk, and robust, with less of the bright, floral complexity associated with high-elevation Ceylon teas. Estates at this altitude often produce leaf that is well-suited to blending applications where strength, colour, and consistency are prioritised. The quicker maturation cycle at lower elevations generally results in teas with bold, straightforward character rather than nuanced aromatics, though processing techniques can significantly influence the final cup profile.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Palindanuwara is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated tea company with extensive blending, packing, and distribution operations across global markets. Finlays sources from numerous estates and origins to supply retail brands, foodservice clients, and private-label programmes, particularly in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The estate's presence in the Finlays supply chain suggests it is producing tea that meets the specifications required for consistent commercial blends, where reliability of yield, cup strength, and cost competitiveness are typically key selection criteria.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Palindanuwara lies at 6.4709, 80.2775 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 78 m elevation is the 5th highest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Hedigalla — under 1 km away
- Baduraeliya — 7.1 km away
- Kalawana, Rain Forest — 8.9 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
- Aruna — 9.0 km away
- Renukanda Tea Estate — 9.5 km away · B158
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Palindanuwara
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Palindanuwara (78 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Palindanuwara recorded 4,010 mm in 2025, 47% more than the 2,736 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shennong Tea Co., Ltd. | Hunan Province, China | 78 m | 1,030 mm | 24.1 °C |
| BAGHMARI | Assam, India | 78 m | 2,876 mm | 28.6 °C |
| DIFFLOO | Assam, India | 78 m | 2,735 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Euro Asia Tea Factory Ltd | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 77 m | 2,582 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Sanora | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 77 m | 4,458 mm | 30.0 °C |
Palindanuwara Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Palindanuwara is wetter than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 81% of the others by elevation; cooler than 90% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Palindanuwara 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 | Palindanuwara | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 78 m | 21 m | 9 to 1,272 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,010 mm | 3,756 mm | 2,624 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.1 °C | 29.7 °C | 22.7 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.2 °C | 22.5 °C | 15.8 to 23.6 °C |
Observed Climate at Palindanuwara (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Palindanuwara’s coordinates recorded 4,010 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (560 mm) and the driest was February (68 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.1 °C and overnight lows 22.2 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,010 mm |
| Wettest month | November (560 mm) |
| Driest month | February (68 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Palindanuwara located?
Palindanuwara is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.4709, 80.2775, at an elevation of about 78 metres.
What type of tea does Palindanuwara produce?
Palindanuwara is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Palindanuwara supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Palindanuwara as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Palindanuwara receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,010 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (560 mm).
How does Palindanuwara compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Palindanuwara recorded 4,010 mm in 2025, 47% more rain than the 2,736 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].