The Planters' Association of Ceylon News
How Mechanization is Slashing Costs and Boosting Yields at Agarapatana Plantations
If people were asked to name 10 innovative companies in Sri Lanka, it is highly likely that a Regional Plantation Company (RPC) would not be on that list. Yet, it could be argued that Agarapatana Plantations PLC, a RPC belongs on that list. The company has created a transformative leap in productivity by undertaking a series of initiatives, including mechanizing its tea harvesting without compromising on the integrity Sri Lanka’s hallmark “two leaves and a bud”. This plucking standard is central to the country’s reputation for high quality orthodox tea.
Diyagama West Estate and Its Timeless Legacy of Tea Innovation and Sustainability
Set amidst the vibrant, emerald hills of Sri Lanka's central highlands, where waterfalls cascade down cliffs and clouds brush against towering peaks, Diyagama West stands as a tea estate so expansive, rich in history and self-sustaining that it functions more like a hidden kingdom than a plantation where only a few places in the country so seamlessly blend colonial legacy, ecological richness and cutting-edge sustainability.
With over 858 hectares of cultivated land, a resident population of more than 7,000 and tea bushes that date back over 125 years, Diyagama West stands as a timeless giant in Sri Lanka’s central hills, a place where history, community and innovation come together to create some of the finest tea the island has ever known.
Kahawatte Plantations Redefines the Future of Sri Lanka’s Plantation Industry Through Sustainable Innovation, Community Empowerment and Profitability
In an era of transformation for Sri Lanka’s plantation sector, Kahawatte Plantations PLC (KWPL) has emerged as a formidable force, redefining the parameters of agricultural excellence, sustainability and inclusive growth. As a Regional Plantation Company operating across the landscapes of Nawalapitiya and Sabaragamuwa, KWPL manages 16 estates spread across 12,356 hectares. The company’s diverse crop mix includes tea, rubber, cinnamon, coffee, coconut, pepper, durian, macadamia and commercial forestry which highlights its commitment to diversification and resilience.
Spicing Up Plantations: How Sri Lanka’s RPCs Are Cultivating Resilience Through Crop Diversification
Since its establishment in the colonial era, Sri Lanka’s plantation sector has for the majority of its 200-year history been focused almost exclusively on cultivation of tea, rubber and coconut.
Sri Lanka’s Liquid Gold: The Evolving Story of Pure Ceylon Tea
The world recently celebrated International Tea Day on 21 May 2025 under the theme “Bringing people together over a cup of tea.” The day aims to raise awareness of tea’s long history and its deep cultural and economic significance worldwide, promoting collective action for sustainable production and consumption while highlighting tea’s fundamental role in uplifting the Sri Lankan economy.
Neuchatel Estate’s Commitment to Innovation, Sustainability and Cultural Heritage
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Kalutara’s lush tropical greenery, Neuchatel Estate remains a timeless tribute to the diversity of Sri Lanka’s plantation heritage. Founded in 1904 by British planter Colin Cowper Mee—who named the estate after his alma mater in Switzerland—Neuchatel quickly emerged as a beacon of progress.
Exploring the role of the Planters’ Association in establishing Sri Lankan Railways and Tea Research
While Sri Lanka’s colonial history resulted in the entrenchment of significant challenges, it also yielded transformative developments that have served as the foundation of the island’s economy for generations.
The Transformational Journey of Women in Sri Lanka’s Plantation Industry
Sri Lanka’s plantation sector has been significantly shaped by its colonial past. Since the establishment of the first commercial tea plantations by British planters in 1867, and through 152 years of colonial management, women’s roles were traditionally limited to labor-intensive tasks with limited scope for advancement.
Plantation Industry Recommits to Community Welfare in 2025 Sri Lanka’s Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) recommitted to driving comprehensive development initiatives to uplift estate communities.
Working in partnership with the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT) – a tripartite body comprising of RPCs, Government and worker representatives – over the coming year, they aim to drive improved living standards for thousands of employees and their families.