New era for tea: Hayleys opens state-of-the-art Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory in Southern region

Exterior view of the Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory with their solar rooftop

Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage inaugurates Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory, accompanied by Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai and Kiruwanaganga Estate Regional General Manager Gimhan Jayatilake

Hayleys Plantations marked a significant milestone with the ceremonial opening of the new Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable innovation and operational excellence in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector.

The factory, built with an investment of Rs. 780 million, is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery including advanced rollers, dryers, and precision colour sorters. Modern facilities such as dedicated elevators for tea transport and an in-house tea tasting area have been introduced to improve safety, efficiency and quality assurance. Enhanced fire protection and workplace safety measures have also been integrated into the design. Managed and operated by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, the Kiruwanaganga factory boasts an impressive manufacturing capacity of 14,000 kilograms of tea per day and is ranked as the No. 1 low-grown factory according to the Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA).

Located in Kirillapone, Matara, the new factory replaces a previous facility affected by several events. Despite multiple external challenges over recent years, including the pandemic, threat of landslides and economic constraints, Hayleys Plantations ensured continuity of operations during the transition, underscoring its focus on long-term resilience and stakeholder trust.

The new Kiruwanaganga facility is designed to meet international environmental standards and the Green Building Concept, aligning with the Group’s broader sustainability agenda. It has earned numerous certifications including the Rainforest Alliance, ISO 22000:2018, ISO 14064-1:2018, Ecolabel, Science Based Targets, UN Climate Neutral Now, Mother & Child friendly Seal for Responsible Businesses (MCFS), Responsible Care Certification, Certificate of Ethical Trading and will soon be Green Building certified. The factory is positioned to support local economic development by enabling smallholder integration into the formal tea supply chain.

The event was attended by Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage, Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Talawakelle Tea Estates Director / CEO Senaka Alawattegama, Kiruwanaganga Estate Regional General Manager Gimhan Jayatilake and distinguished representatives from the tea industry, Government and law enforcement.

The proceedings began with the hoisting of the national flag, followed by the traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony and multi-religious blessings. A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Pandithage and Dr. Rajadurai, and a Na tree was planted on-site to symbolise the company’s longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility.

“Tea is more than an industry. It is a way of life, a vital export, and a key contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy. At Hayleys Plantations, we invest in our people, our communities, and our future. Wherever Hayleys operates, opportunities follow – more jobs, more value addition, and more progress. This is not only the most advanced tea factory in Sri Lanka, but also the first of its kind that I have had the privilege of opening as Chairman,” said Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage. “It stands as a testament to the resilience of our teams and their ability to navigate complex challenges, while continuing to set new benchmarks in quality, sustainability and diversification.”

Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai added: “This factory represents a journey of perseverance. Despite a challenging external environment, we maintained uninterrupted tea production throughout the transition, ensuring both quality and continuity while building for the future.”

In his remarks, Gimhan Jayatilake reflected on the factory’s long-standing legacy, the challenges overcome and the opportunities ahead, particularly for regional employment and smallholder participation. He extended his appreciation to the leadership and teams involved in bringing the project to fruition.

The event concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation and cultural performances, celebrating both tradition and progress.