About – Lumbini Tea Valley

about us

Empowering Communities Through Tea

Rooted in the lush highlands of Deniyaya, we are more than just a tea producer we are a community-driven collective dedicated to crafting authentic Ceylon tea with purpose and integrity. From our beginnings as a small, locally grounded venture, we have grown into a multi-company group while staying true to the place and people that shaped us.

Every leaf we produce reflects a deep commitment to quality, traceability, and sustainability. By managing every step from cultivation to production we ensure that each cup delivers purity, consistency, and a genuine sense of origin.

Guided by values of transparency, sustainability, and community, we continue to grow not just as a business, but as a force for positive change in the world of tea.

Quality

We are unwavering in our pursuit of unparalleled quality. Every single leaf undergoes rigorous selection and processing, ensuring that each cup of Lumbini Tea delivers an exquisite and consistent experience, a testament to our Grand Prize-winning standards.

Sustainability

This is not just a practice but a profound philosophy that guides our interactions with the environment. We are dedicated stewards of the land, employing organic farming methods and responsible resource management to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Sinharaja Rainforest.

Community

At our core, we believe in uplifting the lives of those who make our tea possible. We invest significantly in the livelihoods and well-being of our dedicated farmers and employees, fostering a thriving community through fair trade practices, education, and healthcare initiatives.

Innovation

InnovationWe continuously strive to explore new horizons in tea, guided by a passion for innovation and excellence. This inspires us to develop unique crafting techniques and introduce exceptional tea experiences, pushing the boundaries of what Ceylon tea can truly become today globally.

Our Journey

Five Decades of Growth

1967

A Family Begins

Mr. Dayapala Jayawardana marries Mrs. Mary Abeywickrama in Deniyaya. The couple begins building a life rooted in village service and quiet ambition.

1975

The Land is Purchased — Lumbini is Born

Mr. Dayapala acquires tea land from Mr. Batuwanthudawa in Deniyaya. A teacher and village officer by trade, he channels his life savings into Ceylon's most enduring crop. Lumbini Tea Valley is founded.

1984

The Factory is Built

After nearly a decade of cultivating the gardens, Mr. Dayapala constructs Lumbini's first tea factory with a production capacity of 2,000 lbs per day — marking the transition from grower to full-scale producer.

1986

Supplier Network Expands

Mr. Dayapala extends the fresh leaf supplier route to four new regions: Nishshankapura, Morawaka, Pallekanda, and Wathurawa — deepening ties with the surrounding farming communities and establishing the supply network that endures to this day.

2000

The Second Generation Joins

2006

Full Management Handed Over

Mr. Dayapala formally hands over full management of Lumbini Tea Valley to Mr. Chaminda Jayawardana. A new chapter begins — one of expansion, diversification, and modernisation, while honouring every value the founder established.

2006 - Now

A Group of Eight Companies

Under Mr. Chaminda's leadership, Lumbini grows from a single estate operation into a group of eight companies — spanning tea manufacturing, retail, hospitality, export, research, and agro-tourism. The estate now covers 200 acres, supports 1,800 supplier farmers, and employs 200 people.

Agro Village

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Achievements

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Sustainability

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Social Impact

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Founder’s Message

Mr. & Mrs. Dayapala Jayawardana

The story of Lumbini Tea Valley begins not in a boardroom, but in a village — where a dedicated civil servant and teacher looked at a stretch of land in Deniyaya and saw something no one else could: a future built on Ceylon’s finest leaf.

Co-Founder & Family Pillar

Mrs. Mary Jayawardana

Mary Abeywickrama married Dayapala Jayawardana in 1967, and together they built not just a business, but a household rooted in discipline, service, and generosity. Her steadfast support through the foundational years of the estate — from the first land purchase through the construction of the factory — was integral to every milestone the family reached.