PA News

Sri Lanka’s tea country is a living sanctuary for biodiversity. Several Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) are actively working to protect and restore ecosystems, safeguarding the rich flora and fauna that thrive alongside estate cultivations. From conserving natural forests and endangered species to creating wildlife corridors and engaging local communities, these plantations are providing biodiversity and tea that can flourish together.

Sri Lanka’s Plantation Sector: From Resilience to Renewal

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon is Sri Lanka’s second-oldest chamber, in continuous operation since 1854. From its beginnings in Kandy, once the heart of the plantation world, it has evolved into the apex body representing 147 members across eight District Associations, including Regional Plantation Companies, private owners and management members.

High above the mist-draped peaks of Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, where crisp winds whisper across emerald slopes, lies the iconic Labookellie Estate. Established in 1870, this plantation has stood the test of time as one of the country’s most renowned tea estates, blending heritage, innovation and community service in a way that continues to shape the identity of Ceylon Tea. Today, under the visionary stewardship of the Damro Group, Labookellie remains both a symbol of Sri Lanka’s tea legacy and a vibrant contributor to its economy and culture.

Sri Lanka’s globally renowned spice industry, long celebrated for its authenticity, quality and heritage, is now confronting one of its most pressing challenges. The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) has voiced grave concerns following the Government’s decision to permit the importation of spices under a new regulatory framework that grants “approved enterprise” status to selected companies.

While the stated objective is to process these imported spices into value-added products such as oil extracts and oleoresins for re-export, industry stakeholders fear that this move could severely dilute the reputation of pure Ceylon spices, disrupt local markets and open the door to smuggling and adulteration of Sri Lanka’ famed spices.

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) once again reiterated its call for an urgent reversal of the ban on oil palm cultivation as a means of unlock transformative growth for the plantation industry, and significantly boost worker incomes.

According to the Association, following the Government’s abrupt ban on oil palm cultivation in 2021, this lucrative crop that was once considered as the nation’s most valuable strategic diversifications instead become a symbol of policy inconsistency and lost economic opportunity.

Hidden away in Sri Lanka’s misty hill country, in Uva Province lies Demodera Estate, which is one of the island’s oldest and most celebrated tea plantations. With over 130 years of continuous cultivation, it serves as a living museum of Sri Lanka’s tea legacy. Established in the late 19th century, Demodera’s reputation is rooted in its rich history, meticulous cultivation methods and commitment to innovation.

Originally comprised of five divisions, namely, Southam, Weyvelheena, Oetumbe, Neterville and Rossett, the estate underwent several transformations over the decades, including a re-amalgamation of the Rossett Division in 2010.

Set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s central hills, Dunsinane Estate has stood tall since its establishment in 1879. Spanning 790 hectares in the Nuwara Eliya District, with nearly 494 hectares under tea cultivation, it remains one of the largest and most historic tea estates in the country.

The estate is currently managed by Aitken Spence Plantations and owned by Elpitiya Plantations PLC, two of the most respected names in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector.

Located in the misty valleys of Sri Lanka’s central highlands, Great Western Estate reflects the island’s rich plantation heritage. Its story dates back to the 18th century, when British planter I.A. Rossiter first introduced coffee cultivation to the region in 1865. Originally spanning across 628.48 hectares, the estate lies at an elevation of 1,448 meters and comprises four divisions, Great Western, Scalpa, Louisa and Galkandawatte.

After a period under the Dent Brothers & Co, the estate gradually transitioned from coffee to tea.

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.