THE MONARAKANDA ESTATE
A Legacy Renewed Through Time
The Monarakanda Estate symbolises Sri Lanka's rich tea heritage, nestled in its lush highlands. Once part of the renowned Lipton's estate, it is believed that Sir Thomas Lipton would stay at the estate house during his visits to the area. When we acquired the estate in 2010, we encountered a property brimming with untapped potential yet marked by years of neglect. Over the previous quarter-century, this once-thriving tea estate had slowly declined, with many fields left dormant and infrastructure needing extensive restoration.
Monarakanda reflects the estate's deep connection to Sri Lankan culture and landscape. In Sinhala, the primary language of Sri Lanka, "Monara" means peacock - a bird of cultural significance symbolising beauty and grace—while "Kanda" means mountain. Thus, Monarakanda translates to "Peacock Mountain," a name that captures the estate's elevated terrain and natural splendour.
Our Journey of Transformation
Restoring the Monarakanda Estate has been more than an agricultural effort; it reflects our commitment to continued tea cultivation and community development. We approached this transformation to renew existing tea fields and expand into previously unused areas.
In the older fields, we carefully replanted sections where tea bushes had deteriorated, introducing robust, high-yielding varieties tailored to thrive in our unique elevation and climate. Simultaneously, we prepared new areas for cultivation, selecting prime locations and applying modern farming practices to ensure optimal growth.
These efforts have borne fruit. As newly planted bushes matured, our tea production has grown steadily, yielding high-quality leaves. Each year, the estate's productivity continues to rise, a testament to the team's hard work and the effectiveness of our improved techniques and practices.
Our Future Vision
Looking forward, we are excited to enhance Monarakanda Estate by establishing a micro tea factory. This development will allow us to oversee the entire production process, from cultivation to processing, all within the estate. Once it's up and running, we aim to produce outstanding single-estate teas that capture the distinctive characteristics of the estate - the unique combination of altitude, climate, and soil that makes the Uva Province, particularly its southern edge, ideal for exceptional tea cultivation.
Our Estate Family
At the heart of Monarakanda's transformation is our estate community. Generations of skilled workers call this estate home, bringing invaluable expertise and passion to their work. Their commitment is clear in what we have achieved so far - the journey will continue.
Where possible, we have maintained the estate's heritage by blending traditional practices with modern innovations, fostering an environment where both our tea and our community can continue to thrive. Supporting our workers and their families remains a core priority, ensuring sustainable growth for all involved.
