Feature: Laxapana Estate - A Harmony of Nature and History in Sri Lankan Highlands

Laxapana Estate Plucking Fields

Laxapana Estate factory

Nestled in the breathtaking mountains of Sri Lanka’s central hill country, Laxapana Estate lies at the southwestern foothills of the world-renowned Adam’s Peak mountain range also known as ‘Sri Pada’.  Overlooking the serene Mousakellie Reservoir, the estate offers visitors a spectacular view of the dam, with a portion of its bank bordering the lower sections of Laxapana and St. Andrew’s Lower division. This scenic location, with misty mountains and lush greenery, provides an unparalleled experience for visitors looking for tranquility amidst nature, the company said in a feature article about the property and its surroundings.

A Legacy Rooted in History

The exact year of Laxapana Estate’s inception in the 19th century is not well-documented, but it is presumed to have originated between 1830 and 1835 as a coffee plantation. This was part of the broader expansion of coffee plantations in Ceylon, initiated by Governor Sir Edward Barnes and the enterprising coffee planter George Bird in 1825. Over time, British civil and military officers, as well as wealthy British entrepreneurs, expanded these plantations.

By the late 1870s, an estate known as John’s Land (now Valamalay) was incorporated into Laxapana Estate. At the time, it was owned by M/s. Dickson & Akroyd & Co. and managed by M/s. George Steuart & Co. Ltd. In 1881, Laxapana had over 650 acres of tea interplanted with cinchona. Following the devastating coffee blight in the mid-19th century, Laxapana transitioned from coffee cultivation to tea and cinchona, Cinchona is a tree that produces quinine. Cinchona bark has been used to treat malaria since the 17th century.

The present-day St. Andrew’s upper and lower divisions were once part of a separate estate, St. Andrew’s Estate, owned by T.N. Christie. A notable historical visit occurred in February 1881 when the German biologist and physician Ernest Haeckel stayed at the estate and later chronicled his journey to Adam’s Peak in his book A Visit to Ceylon (1883). In 1897, Laxapana and St. Andrew’s Estates were acquired by the Ceylon & Indian Planters Association Ltd. The estate underwent multiple management transitions before being consolidated into a single unit in 1938. Today, Laxapana Estate consists of five divisions: Laxapana, Valamalay, St. Andrew’s Upper, St. Andrew’s Lower, and Hamilton.

Transformation and Modernization

In 1967, a significant portion of the original Laxapana division was submerged following the construction of the Mousakellie Reservoir, resulting in the loss of part of the tea plantation, worker housing, a colonial-era superintendent’s bungalow and a modern four-story factory building. To compensate, 60 hectares of new tea plantations were established, and displaced workers were resettled. A new factory and superintendent’s bungalow were also constructed.

After nationalisation in 1975, the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC) managed the estate. However, due to poor performance under the state management the estate was privatised in 1992 and came under Maskeliya Plantations PLC. Today, it remains a top performer in Sri Lanka’s tea industry managed by RPC Management Services, a subsidiary of the Richard Pieris Group of Companies.

Laxapana Estate also holds the unique distinction of hosting an important figure in the international financial sector, Robert McNamara, the then-Chairman of the World Bank, who arrived by helicopter in 1978 for a brief visit. Before his tenure at the World Bank, Mr. McNamara served as the U.S. Secretary of Defence under President John F. Kennedy, playing a pivotal role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Mr. McNamara emphasised the need for projects that supported education and small farmers, aligning with Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector and educational aspirations.

Laxapana Estate is renowned for producing high-quality semi-orthodox black tea in the western high-grown sector. The estate’s tea processing facility, established in 1967, has an annual production capacity of 700,000 kg. The main export-quality grades include Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP), Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning (BOPF), Dust No. 1, and various off-grades such as Dust and Fannings.

BOP teas are known for their robust, full-bodied flavor with brisk, malty, or earthy undertones, complemented by a lively aroma and a bright, vibrant liquor. BOPF teas, with their finer broken leaf structure, are even stronger and brisker, offering a bold, slightly sweet, and well-balanced flavor, making them ideal for everyday consumption. Dust No. 1 and other Dust grades, commonly used in tea bags, brew quickly and produce a strong, rich cup.

The factory has obtained numerous prestigious certifications, including Rainforest Alliance Certification, HACCP Certification, Akimoto 5S Concept Certification and ISO 22000 Certification, among others.

Laxapana Estate takes pride in its sustainability initiatives and contributions to the local community. The estate has introduced single-man battery-operated harvesting machines to increase labour productivity and address the shortage of harvesters. To minimise electricity consumption, eight variable speed drives were installed in the withering operation. Additionally, the estate has established two freshwater fish-growing ponds to enhance local nutrition and provide an extra source of income for households.

Commitment to Sustainability and Community Development

To support employment and economic growth, the estate provides opportunities for local and foreign tourists to access estate viewing points with scenic attractions. Educated youth from the estate are given opportunities to join the plantation and join as supervisory staff members, with a paid training period. Furthermore, Laxapana has developed three preschools for children aged 3 to 5 years and provides free medical guidance within the estate premises, provided by an estate medical assistant and their medical team. The estate also introduced a potable water project benefiting 150 families, including estate employees and the local community. To enhance living conditions and promote better hygiene, Laxapana Estate has constructed 50 new sanitation facilities, providing improved access to clean and safe toilets for 50 families in the community.

Laxapana Estate is home to diverse wildlife, including leopard, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupines, the endemic and endangered blue magpie, and jungle fowl. Occasionally, deer and sambar have been found along the estate’s boundary, a sign of the presence of the apex predator - leopard. The estate’s proximity to the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary provides visitors with the opportunity to witness Sri Lanka’s rich natural heritage up close.

With its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and tradition, Laxapana Estate continues to be a beacon of Sri Lanka’s rich tea heritage by producing and supplying world-class tea, using the time-tested art of tea-making under experienced and expert supervision, while maintaining the highest hygienic standards. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or tea connoisseur, Laxapana Estate offers an unforgettable experience.