Dickwella Estate
Where Tradition, Quality, and Innovation Grow Side by Side
Established in 1918 under the guidance of Mr. D.S. McGregor, Dickwella Estate is one of the Uva Province’s most iconic tea plantations. Nestled in the scenic hills of the Badulla District, just 10 kilometers from Badulla town, the estate is conveniently located off the Colombo–Badulla trunk road, turning at Hali-Ela Junction.
At an elevation of 1195 meters, with an annual rainfall of approximately 1800 mm, Dickwella’s growing conditions are ideal for producing high-quality teas with the signature character of the Uva region. Spanning 441.74 hectares, the estate’s tea cultivation comprises 74% seedling (SD) and 26% vegetatively propagated (VP) varieties.
Originally planted by the Tea Syndicate, the estate’s factory was built in 1928 by the Dickwella (Ceylon) Rubber Company Limited. A newer facility, constructed in 1934, now serves as the main processing center and is certified under ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, and the Rainforest Alliance. This factory sits at an elevation of 1230 meters and is renowned for producing Orthodox and Rotorvane teas.
The estate is consistently ranked among the top two factories in the Uva Province based on net sale average, a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Dickwella’s teas are proudly sold under the Dickwella and St. James marks and are classified within the Uva Medium Elevation Category.
Following its nationalization in 1975 and management under the Janatha Estates Development Board until 1992, the estate was privatized and brought under the stewardship of Malwatte Valley Plantations PLC.
More Than Tea: A Hub of Diversification and Sustainability
Dickwella Estate is home to one of the largest commercial Avocado plantations in the region and has expanded further with the amalgamation of Uva Ketawala Estate, which includes over 75,000 pepper vines.
It is also the proud host of the Malwatte Spice Processing Centre, the only Rainforest Alliance-certified pepper processing facility in Sri Lanka, fully compliant with GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000 standards. This center plays a vital role in adding value to the company’s spice sector while supporting sustainable and ethical production.
For over a century, Dickwella Estate has blended legacy with innovation—creating not only exceptional teas but a model of modern, diversified, and sustainable plantation management.
