tea plantation in sri lanka
Photo Credit: Anantara Kalutara Resort

There are many beautiful attractions to be experienced in the southern region of Sri Lanka, and many remarkable ones tend to be overlooked. The Handunugoda Tea Estate happens to be one of them.

 

Background

 

handunugoda tea estate how to get there
Photo Credit: Anantara Kalutara Resort

The estate is situated in Ahangama, a short drive from hotels in Kalutara should you take the Southern Expressway. They’re renowned across Sri Lanka and around the world as a producer of artisanal teas.

 

Virgin White Tea

 

virgin tea sri lanka
Photo Credit: Anantara Kalutara Resort

This is one of the most iconic products of the estate, and is a result of 4000 years worth of heritage. It was developed by an early emperor of China who employed virgins wearing silk gloves to meticulously cut the tea leaves in gold bowls using gold scissors.

 

The Owner

 

The estate was founded by Malinga Herman Gunaratne who has more than 45 years of experience in the industry since he was employed in plantations even during the time of British colonisation. He overlooked more than 405km2 of the best tea plantations in the nation’s most valued plantation district.

 

The Estate

 

Handunugoda Tea Estate ahangama
Photo Credit: Anantara Kalutara Resort

The Handunugoda Tea Estate consists of a total of 200 acres, out of which 75 is reserved for the cultivation of tea. The rest has been allocated to producing cinnamon, coconut, and rubber respectively. You can discover more about this plantation on mediums such as Travel Kalutara.