Dunsinane Estate leads the way in tea, tradition and sustainability
View(s):Dunsinane Estate, spanning 790 hectares since its establishment in 1879 in the Nuwara Eliya District has nearly 494 hectares under tea cultivation and 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. Dunsinane’s location in the culturally rich Pundaluoya Valley, within the Kotmale Division, with surrounding forest reserves and traditional villages tying its operations to the roots of upcountry heritage adds historical depth to its identity, the estate said in a media release.
Over its long history, Dunsinane has consistently shaped the standards of high-grown CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) teas. A pivotal milestone came in 1989, when the estate transitioned from orthodox production to CTC manufacture. Since then, it has become a benchmark for premium high-grown CTC teas, earning and maintaining the No. 1 ranking in its category from 2016 to date.
Its 1920 factory building, located at 4,600 feet above sea level, remains central to its operations. Today, the estate processes 27,000 kg of green leaf daily and produces approximately 1.3 million kg of made tea annually, upholding exceptional consistency and quality under ISO food safety standards.
Beyond tea, Dunsinane is deeply intertwined with the well-being of its surrounding communities. It provides direct employment to a large number of estate workers across its five divisions, Upper, Middle, Factory, North and Lower and supports many more indirectly through estate-linked services and trade.
The estate actively supports the welfare of plantation families through a wide range of community development initiatives. Educational programmes provide schoolbooks, uniforms and even mobile devices to support online learning. Health-focused efforts include medical camps, blood donation drives and nutrition programs aimed at improving quality of life.
Women empowerment is a central focus, with skills training and development programs encouraging economic participation and leadership. Further, children’s welfare is prioritized, with regular engagement with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).
In terms of infrastructure, Dunsinane invests in the maintenance of purified water access and road improvements. The estate’s Worker Housing Co-operative Society was recognized with the Best EWHCS Award in the Nuwara Eliya Region and earned star-rated status for excellence in social development two years in a row, including 2024.
Dunsinane Estate is also playing a leading role in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy future through Elpitiya Plantations’ ambitious green energy initiatives.
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