Our Healing Story
"A lifetime of healing."
Healing One Forest, One Community, and You One Flavourful Sip at a Time
We grow tea, herbs, spices, fruits and much more regeneratively and organically in our forest garden. Our Artisans handcraft all our products, capturing the healing goodness of our forest, our people and our plants. Our philosophy forms the bedrock of every decision we make.
Healing the Forest
We are an agroforest where we cultivate within a forest eco-system, enabling the forest to heal herself. We all move in-step, not ahead of her.
Forest winds that waft across our valley, natural springs, streams, nutrient-rich organic soils and the craft of our artisans combine to give you a cuppa that captures the unique essence of our forest-inspired terroir.
Healing the Community
We are a social enterprise where we foster dialogue to build trust and unite villagers.
Our "Tea Cigar" is a handcrafted roll of 24 leaves that brews with the purity of loose-leaf tea, while offering the convenience of a bag. Visiting our land and living in our farmhouse helps you witness a rhythm that is harmoniously connected with the forest and people.
Healing You
Our products, certified Organic and Fairtrade, heal flavourfully. Every cup of Kaley's teas and tisanes reflects the collective journey of nature and people.
Our journey has earned global recognition with awards across North America, Europe and Australia. But our greatest reward remains the living forest we protect, the communities we uplift, and the quiet healing found in every sip.
Why Heal With Kaley?
We are probably one of the few places in the world where nature, people and economics co-exist in harmony and heal together.
Healing a Forest Lets Mother Nature Heal Herself
Our forest regeneration efforts restore native ecosystems, healing the soil, the streams, the air ... you, me and everyone around.
Uplifting Communities is Healing Everyone
Engaging with our community, sharing life's stories with each other, teaching, learning & just being - enables you to become a part of a circle of healing that radiates far beyond our own land.
Our Organic Brews are Healing You
Every sip nurtures your body with pure, chemical-free brews grown in harmony with nature. Our teas and tisanes are good for you and your loved ones.
Kaley in Numbers
Our estate is living proof that agriculture and nature can thrive together in perfect balance.
Location
Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka (UNESCO Heritage)
Village
Illukpitiya, Kotapola (Matara District)
Land Area
25 ac cultivated, 23 ac preserved
Elevation
Low-grown tea region
Community
Including 27 females from local villages
Village School
M/R Illukpitiya Primary School (Up to Grade 11)
Crops
Tea, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Pepper, Spices, Botanical Herbs, Medicinal Plants & Fruits.
Our Heritage Track
The story of a degraded land returning to life. Scroll down to walk through time →
A New Beginning
- Rescued a chemically degraded estate and preserved its 23-acre rainforest.
- Banned all synthetic pesticides - the land began to breathe again.
A New Beginning
- Rescued a chemically degraded estate and preserved its 23-acre rainforest.
- Banned all synthetic pesticides - the land began to breathe again.
Roots Go Deeper
- Began zero-tillage farming to protect the soil beneath.
- Wove cinnamon, pepper and fruit trees into the tea, land creating a living tapestry.
Roots Go Deeper
- Began zero-tillage farming to protect the soil beneath.
- Wove cinnamon, pepper and fruit trees into the tea, land creating a living tapestry.
Going Organic
- Formally began the journey to full organic cultivation.
- Improved homes, clean water, and sanitation for every worker family on the estate.
Going Organic
- Formally began the journey to full organic cultivation.
- Improved homes, clean water, and sanitation for every worker family on the estate.
Gentle Footprint
- Continued raising the quality of life for our resident community.
- Restricted vehicles to under 5% of the land area, the forest moves at its own pace.
Gentle Footprint
- Continued raising the quality of life for our resident community.
- Restricted vehicles to under 5% of the land area, the forest moves at its own pace.
Forest Garden & A Lake
- Mapped the land's ecology with Dr. Ranil Senanayake world renowned ecologist and planted a living Forest Garden.
- Built 3 km of stone terraces and a lake to harvest 20 million litres of rainwater; fed 60,000 L of bio-fertiliser monthly.
- Opened "Kaley School" for workers' children and established the Kaley brand.
Forest Garden & A Lake
- Mapped the land's ecology with Dr. Ranil Senanayake world renowned ecologist and planted a living Forest Garden.
- Built 3 km of stone terraces and a lake to harvest 20 million litres of rainwater; fed 60,000 L of bio-fertiliser monthly.
- Opened "Kaley School" for workers' children and established the Kaley brand.
Kaley Enters the World
- Launched the Kaley brand - and broke a school's language barrier by enrolling its first Tamil child.
- Began supplying groceries to worker families at discounted rates.
- Nurtured 3 estate streams, thatched the soil, and kicked off Phase 2 of forest planting.
Kaley Enters the World
- Launched the Kaley brand - and broke a school's language barrier by enrolling its first Tamil child.
- Began supplying groceries to worker families at discounted rates.
- Nurtured 3 estate streams, thatched the soil, and kicked off Phase 2 of forest planting.
Sun, Seeds & Solidarity
- Co-founded the Ceylon Artisan Tea Association and began sourcing seeds from 100-year-old wild tea trees.
- Arranged free school transport for children, supported by kind-hearted donors.
- Switched to rooftop solar, enriched soils with bio-char, and signed an MOU with WNPS to protect the forest.
Sun, Seeds & Solidarity
- Co-founded the Ceylon Artisan Tea Association and began sourcing seeds from 100-year-old wild tea trees.
- Arranged free school transport for children, supported by kind-hearted donors.
- Switched to rooftop solar, enriched soils with bio-char, and signed an MOU with WNPS to protect the forest.
Certified Globally
- Earned organic certification across Japan, the EU, North America, and Sri Lanka.
- Launched a university–WNPS–Kaley research partnership and installed precision weather monitoring.
Certified Globally
- Earned organic certification across Japan, the EU, North America, and Sri Lanka.
- Launched a university–WNPS–Kaley research partnership and installed precision weather monitoring.
Science Meets Forest
- Hosted pioneering PhD research on bat populations living within our tea estate.
Science Meets Forest
- Hosted pioneering PhD research on bat populations living within our tea estate.
Global Partnerships
- Joined hands with PARCIC (Japan) and Eksath, a collective of 45 organic farmers.
- Together, we grow, process and ship artisan organic tea to Japan and beyond.
Global Partnerships
- Joined hands with PARCIC (Japan) and Eksath, a collective of 45 organic farmers.
- Together, we grow, process and ship artisan organic tea to Japan and beyond.
Fairtrade & New Voices
- Became Fairtrade Certified - fair wages and dignity for every hand that picks our leaves.
- Welcomed university researchers, international volunteers, and artists-in-residence through our gates.
Fairtrade & New Voices
- Became Fairtrade Certified - fair wages and dignity for every hand that picks our leaves.
- Welcomed university researchers, international volunteers, and artists-in-residence through our gates.
Opened New Doors
- Partnered with the University of Ruhuna's Agricultural Faculty to deepen soil science.
- Opened our land to the world - day visits and immersive farmstays now live.
Opened New Doors
- Partnered with the University of Ruhuna's Agricultural Faculty to deepen soil science.
- Opened our land to the world - day visits and immersive farmstays now live.
Meet the Kaley Family
More than a team, we are a village.
From foragers to the tea artisans, we are a community united by a shared purpose. Meet the people who breathe life into every part of Kaley.
Partners
Our World in Pictures
Moments from the highlands · Hover to pause · Click to explore
Voices From Our Healing Community
Reviews · Visitors · Tea Lovers
Dr. Dinu Pri Madusanka
Doctor · University of Wayamba
Sri Lanka
Dr Sharon Hall
United Kingdom
Diana Jendoubi
Journalist
USA
Amitha Wijesekara
Founder · Tea Select (Pvt) Ltd
Sri Lanka
Yoko Kubo
Japan
Ravi
Yabukita Tea House
Freiburg, Germany
Suranga Herath and Team
English Tea Shop/Amazon Tea
Sri Lanka
Brett
National Trust for Scotland
Scotland
Heather
Scotland
Oscar
Suki Tea
United Kingdom
Keiko Roberts
PARCIC
Japan
Jeremy
United Kingdom
Deirdre, Luca & Robyn
International
Reinder Dijkstra
Netherlands
Dian, Julie, Claire, Yun, & Victorie
Commerce Equitable France Team
France
Angie
Taiwan
Satsuki
Japan
Shehara
Sri Lanka
Dr. Dinu Pri Madusanka
Doctor · University of Wayamba
Sri Lanka
Dr Sharon Hall
United Kingdom
Diana Jendoubi
Journalist
USA
Amitha Wijesekara
Founder · Tea Select (Pvt) Ltd
Sri Lanka
Yoko Kubo
Japan
Ravi
Yabukita Tea House
Freiburg, Germany
Suranga Herath and Team
English Tea Shop/Amazon Tea
Sri Lanka
Brett
National Trust for Scotland
Scotland
Heather
Scotland
Oscar
Suki Tea
United Kingdom
Keiko Roberts
PARCIC
Japan
Jeremy
United Kingdom
Deirdre, Luca & Robyn
International
Reinder Dijkstra
Netherlands
Dian, Julie, Claire, Yun, & Victorie
Commerce Equitable France Team
France
Angie
Taiwan
Satsuki
Japan
Shehara
Sri Lanka
Kaley in the Press
Our story shared with the world.
From international features to local publications, discover what journalists, tea connoisseurs, and wellness advocates are saying about our healing journey.
"Where the thought of conservation transformed into a craft."
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Whether visiting our estate, enjoying our teas, or partnering with us, there's a path for you.