
Matara City
Matara is a major city in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It's known for its beautiful coastal scenery, historical significance, and cultural heritage. The city is located about 160 kilometers south of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Matara has a rich history, with colonial influences from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and it's home to several historical landmarks, such as the Matara Fort and the Star Fort.
Gunawardana Tea Estate
Gunawardana Tea Factory is situated in Akuressa. Gunawardana Tea Factory is renowned for manufacturing high quality, award winning teas. This Tea Factory is owned and managed by the Proprietor, J.J. Gunawardana who is reputed in manufacturing high quality, standard ‘Ceylon Tea’ at all times.
Gunawardana Tea Factory is located in Thalahagama, approximately 5.7 kilometers from Akuressa town in Sri Lanka's Southern Province. Nestled within a 10-acre tea plantation, the factory has been producing high-quality Ceylon teas since its founding by J.J. Gunawardana on December 24, 1991.
The factory specializes in premium black teas, including grades such as PEKOE, OP1, and FBOPF1. Emphasizing sustainable and organic practices, Gunawardana Tea ensures that each leaf is cultivated without chemicals, preserving the natural flavor and health benefits of their teas.
Gunawardana Tea has received numerous accolades over its 31-year history, including a Two Star rating in the Ceylon Tea Quality Certificate Quality Management System and second place for Best Tea Factory at the national level in 2017. The factory is also ISO 22000:2018 certified, reflecting its commitment to quality and safety standards.
Visitors to the factory can embark on guided tours to observe the tea production process, from leaf plucking to packaging. These tours offer insights into traditional and modern techniques employed in crafting Ceylon tea. Guests also have the opportunity to participate in tea tasting sessions, sampling a variety of blends produced on-site.
Gunawardana Tea exports its products to several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Japan, Slovakia, China, and the United Kingdom, showcasing the global appreciation for their teas.
Overall, Gunawardana Tea Factory exemplifies Sri Lanka's rich tea heritage, offering visitors an immersive experience into the art and science of tea production.
About Matara District
Matara District, located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, is renowned for its coastal beauty, rich history, and thriving local culture. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, it features stunning beaches like Polhena and Mirissa, which are popular for swimming and whale watching. The district's economy is driven by agriculture, particularly coconut and tea cultivation, as well as fishing. Historical landmarks such as Matara Fort and the Dondra Head Lighthouse highlight the area's colonial past. With its mix of natural attractions and cultural heritage, Matara District is a captivating destination for both locals and tourists.
About Southern Province
The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle,Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.
Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.