Senhora Group of Companies

Corporate profile

A Sri Lankan group built on tea, care and purpose.

Senhora Synergies Group of Companies — the second-largest tea producer in Sri Lanka, diversified into hospitality and renewable energy.

Our purpose

Create. Innovate. Uplift.

Our journey in operating five tea factories has propelled us to become the second-largest tea producer in Sri Lanka.

We sustained growth despite the challenging fertiliser crisis, the pandemic and the local and foreign economic downturn — through unwavering management perseverance and a structured, performance-based culture.

To date we are proud to have created over 2,500 employment opportunities and to support over 15,000 local tea farmers as they continue their entrepreneurship. With an annual turnover exceeding 15 billion rupees, we have diversified into sustainable renewable energy and hospitality.

As we look to future growth, we hope to encourage and inspire other entrepreneurs to join this endeavour and contribute to the economic development of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan tea producers by volume

#2

7.70 million kg

Source: Lanka Commodity Brokers Ltd. — Performance of Companies, up to December 2023.

Vision & mission

Where we are heading, and how.

Our vision

To lead the human race towards contentment.

Our mission

Using tea as a medium, we build a distinctive culture, protect the environment we live in, keep quality tea production productive and profitable, and uplift humankind — economically and spiritually — towards contentment.

Human Race Towards Contentment

The Senhora family

Seven names, one group.

Five tea factories, a hotel and a renewable energy company.

How the family grew

  1. 2003 New Hopewell Tea Factory joins the Senhora family
  2. 2008 Harangalla Tea Factory joins the Senhora family
  3. 2009 Wikiliya Tea Factory joins the Senhora family
  4. 2012 New Mount Carmel Tea Factory joins the Senhora family
  5. 2016 Dartry Valley Tea Factory joins the Senhora family

Leadership

Guided by people who care.

Tanura Panapitiya

Managing Director, Senhora Group

Our approach

Sustainable cultivation, from soil to cup.

Better tea starts long before the factory. Nine practices guide how our estates and smallholders grow leaf.

  • Right cultivar & quality plants

    Higher yield, better leaf quality and improved resistance to pests and climate stress.

  • Soil rehabilitation

    Restores degraded soil to improve fertility and sustain future tea cultivation.

  • Soil protection

    Prevents erosion and preserves the nutrients essential for healthy tea growth.

  • Proper planting method

    Healthy root growth, better field establishment and long-term yield stability.

  • Good agricultural practices

    Sustainable cultivation that improves yield and quality and protects the environment.

  • Right fertiliser, right time

    Balanced nutrition that enhances growth and maximises tea yield and quality.

  • Well-maintained tea fields

    Healthy bushes, consistent yields and superior leaf quality all year round.

  • Correct plucking methods

    Maintain leaf quality, promote new shoots and ensure consistent tea production.

  • Innovation & technology

    Technology that improves tea planting — increasing yield, quality and sustainability.

Quality standards

Dartry Valley Tea Factory operates under ISO 22000, HACCP and GMP standards.

Heritage

The story of Ceylon tea.

From coffee to tea, from the first estate to a global icon.

  1. 1867

    The birth of Ceylon Tea

    James Taylor plants the first tea estate at Loolecondera, Kandy.

  2. 1869

    Coffee blight

    Leaf rust destroys Ceylon's coffee plantations, opening the way for tea.

  3. 1891

    Dartry Estate established

    Dartry is first established as an estate in the Gampola / Pussellawa area.

  4. 1894

    Colombo Tea Auction

    The Tea Traders Association forms to regulate exports and the Colombo Tea Auction is established.

  5. 1948

    The independence era

    Tea remains a key export and local ownership is encouraged.

  6. 1976

    The Lion Logo

    Introduced as the symbol of 100% Pure Ceylon Tea quality.

  7. 2000s

    Tea tourism

    Estates promote tourism and factories begin to offer guided tours.

  8. 2010

    Specialty teas

    High-grown and single-origin teas gain international recognition.

  9. 2026

    A global icon

    Ceylon Tea is exported worldwide and top brands keep a premium reputation.

Partner with Senhora Group.

Buyers, farmers, communities and collaborators — we would love to hear from you.

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