Wilehena Tea Factory to brew afresh under new ownership

Friday, 19 July 2013 05:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Wilehena Tea Factory, one of the finest low grown factories in the bygone era, which was closed for over a decade, recommenced manufacture under a new ownership on 15 June 2013. Wilehena was renowned for producing the finest low grown teas with excellent twist, style and liquors and was reputed to regularly achieve the top prices at the weekly auctions for most of the grades. The tippy teas manufactured at Wilehena were by far the best available at that time and these teas have often ended up fetching record prices. Under the new management, the factory has been completely modernised with state-of-the-art machinery and a fully-automated

process of manufacture in the rolling room as well as in the sifting room which minimises human handling and thereby also reduces the breakage of particles. This factory has for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka introduced a fully computerised electronic grade sorting machine which has the capacity to separate out particles in accordance with the required linear dimension and density. This is indeed a novel approach to making low grown grades as even as possible in particle size.

The factory is now owned by Wakeel Hajiyar, the Chairman of Pathma Group, Galle, who also has several other low grown tea factories which include Kurunduwatte, Manikkanda, Golden Leaf and Magedara and all these factories are directly managed by Mohamed Rafi, who has acquired a reputation for manufacturing high quality teas. The acreage surrounding the factory has also been replanted with tea and the immediate factory environment has been beautifully landscaped, which makes this factory one of the most beautiful and scenic sites in the Southern Province. Wilehena is a large commercialised agricultural land holding and its centre is at an elevation of 44 meters above sea level. Wilehena is within easy reach from the island’s famous tourist spots in the southern part of Sri Lanka such as Mirissa Beach, Kumarakanda Rajamaha Viharaya – Dodanduwa, Weligama Bay and also borders rubber and oil palm estates which can be reached within eight to 20 kilometres. The strict natural forest reserves of Kottawa and Kudagalkanda are around eight km from Wilehena whilst there are three reservoirs as well – Hiyare, Beekke and Borala Wewa – also reachable between five and 12 km. The initial manufacture carried out at Wilehena will be up for auction on 23 July 2013 and these teas are almost certain to a attract the top most prices as the majority of the leading low grown buyers have already expressed a very keen interest in securing these teas which are indeed of exceptional high quality and value.