Tucked beside the Nilwala Ganga in Akuressa, on the southern edge of Sri Lanka, Nandana Tea Factory (NTF) is one of the country's most decorated producers of low-grown orthodox black tea. Its story begins in 1910, when D.A. Wanigasekara (1860–1955) — a visionary pioneer among southern tea planters — introduced tea cultivation to a region better known at the time for fishing, paddy farming, and spice gardens. More than a century later, the factory he founded still operates on the same site, guided by managing director Gunasoma Wanigasekara and anchored in the same commitment to quality that defined its founding.
What makes Nandana Tea Factory different from other Sri Lankan tea producers?
Most of Sri Lanka's celebrated teas come from high-grown estates in the central highlands. Nandana occupies a different and arguably underappreciated tier: the low-grown category, where leaf grown closer to sea level produces a full-bodied, bold cup with distinct character. The factory processes between 120,000 and 150,000 kilograms of green leaf every month — an output that reflects both the scale of its supplier network and the consistency of its operations.
Rather than chasing volume at the expense of character, NTF relies on handpicked golden buds, experienced tea makers, and the orthodox method — a slower, more labour-intensive process than CTC (cut, tear, curl) production, but one that preserves the leaf's intrinsic aroma and complexity. The result is a Ceylon tea that appeals to specialty buyers across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
What quality certifications does Nandana Tea Factory hold?
Certification is not incidental at NTF — it is built into day-to-day operations. The factory holds ISO 15000:2005 certification and has earned the Product Certification Standard issued by the Tea Association of Sri Lanka (TASL). Internationally, it carries accreditation from the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), a London-based initiative that promotes social responsibility and ethical sourcing throughout the global tea trade.
On the production floor, NTF follows the Japanese 5-S methodology — a structured system of workplace organisation focused on sorting, setting in order, shining, standardising, and sustaining — to maintain high hygiene standards and reduce inefficiencies. This discipline has contributed directly to the factory's track record of timely delivery and consistent cup quality.
What awards has Nandana Tea Factory received?
NTF's accolades span production excellence, entrepreneurship, and workforce development:
- Best Entrepreneur of the Year — Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (2002 and 2003, consecutive years)
- Excellence in Manufacturing Practices — Ceylon Tea Board
- Tea Quality Certificate — Ceylon Tea Board
- Awards recognising human resource management and training in the tea industry
These recognitions reflect a factory that treats operational discipline and people development as two sides of the same coin. The workforce — field workers, leaf suppliers, and factory staff — is cited by management as the factory's single greatest asset.
What types of tea does Nandana produce?
Premium orthodox black tea is NTF's core product, but the range has expanded considerably over the years to serve both export buyers and retail consumers. The catalogue now includes flavoured teas blended with ingredients such as cardamom, peppermint, earl grey bergamot, soursop, and a range of fruit infusions. Single-origin green tea is also produced, reflecting growing global demand for lighter, antioxidant-rich styles alongside the traditional black grades.
Grading follows standard Sri Lanka Tea Board classifications. The factory's FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe) grade is among its most sought-after, characterised by a bright liquor, brisk flavour, and notable aroma — qualities that low-grown teas express particularly well when processed carefully.
Where is Nandana Tea Factory located, and how do I get there?
The factory sits in Akuressa, a town in Matara District in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, on the banks of the Nilwala Ganga. Akuressa is approximately 20 kilometres north of Matara town, making it accessible as a day trip from the southern coastal strip. Visitors travelling from Galle can reach Akuressa in roughly 90 minutes by road; from Colombo, allow around three to three-and-a-half hours depending on traffic.
The surrounding landscape rewards those who take their time. The Matara District holds a compelling mix of working agriculture — paddy fields, home gardens dense with spices, and river wetlands — alongside the tea country that begins here and extends further into the hills. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies within reach to the north, making Akuressa a practical base for combining a factory visit with nature exploration.
Can visitors tour Nandana Tea Factory?
Factory visits are welcomed, and the experience offers a ground-level look at orthodox tea production from withering through rolling, fermentation, and firing. Seeing the machinery and speaking with the tea makers gives context to what is otherwise an abstract journey from leaf to cup. Visitors typically leave with a clearer appreciation of why low-grown Sri Lankan teas command the following they do in specialty markets.
If you are planning a broader tea country itinerary, it is worth noting that the southern low-grown factories offer a very different atmosphere from the mist-covered high-grown estates around Nuwara Eliya or the mid-country gardens near Ella. Both experiences are worthwhile; they simply tell different parts of the same story.
What is the significance of low-grown tea in Sri Lanka's tea industry?
Sri Lanka's tea is officially classified by altitude: high-grown (above 1,200 metres), mid-grown (600–1,200 metres), and low-grown (below 600 metres). Each elevation band produces a tea with distinct physical and sensory characteristics. Low-grown teas tend toward a stronger, more full-bodied liquor with a darker colour — qualities prized for blending and for markets that favour a robust cup, such as the Middle East and parts of East Asia.
The Ceylon Tea Board has long recognised NTF as one of the benchmark producers in this category. That designation carries weight in a country where hundreds of factories compete for recognition on the Colombo Tea Auction, one of the world's largest and oldest tea trading platforms.
