Wilehena tea factory re-opens

The Wilehena tea factory

Wilehena tea factory, one of the finest Low Grown factories in the bygone era, which was closed for over a decade, resumed operations under a new management recently.

"Wilehena was renowned to produce the finest Low Grown teas with excellent twist, style and liquors and was reputed to regularly achieve top prices at the weekly auctions for most grades. The tippy teas manufactured at Wilehena were one of the best qualities at that time and these teas have often ended up fetching record prices," a spokesman for the factory said.

Under the new management, the factory has been completely modernised with state-of-the-art machinery and a fully automated process of manufacture in the rolling room and in the sifting room which minimises human handling and thereby reduces breakage of particles.

"This factory has introduced a fully computerised electronic sorting machine which can separate particles according to the required linear dimension and density. This makes Low Grown grades as even as possible, in particle size," he said.

The factory is now owned by Chairman of Pathma Group, Galle, Wakeel Hajiyarthe. "The acreage surrounding the factory has also been re-planted with tea and the immediate factory environment has been landscaped which makes this factory one of the most beautiful sites in the Southern province," the spokesman said.

The initial stock of tea manufactured at Wilehena will be up for auction on Tuesday.