Hayleys opens state-of-the-art Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory

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.

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 kilogrammes of tea per day and is ranked as the No. 1 Low-grown factory, according to the Colombo Tea Traders Association.

The new Kiruwanaganga facility is designed to meet the international environmental standards and Green Building Concept, aligning with the group’s broader sustainability agenda. It has earned 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), Responsible Care C

Exterior view of Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory with its solar rooftop

ertification, 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.

“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 Pandithage. 

Dr. 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.”