Global food giant Nestle partner Lanka Sathosa

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiutheen addresses the ceremony

Lanka Sathosa Chairman Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, CEO Rajiva Meewakkkala and Senior Nestle Official Manjula Dahanayake, discussing the detail of the partnership 

In a unique Private- Public partnership that Sri Lanka has not seen before Global food giant Nestle partnered largest retail chain of Sri Lanka ‘ Lanka Sathosa’, to drive nutrition among the mass market consumer in the C1, C2 and D SEC consumer groups of Sri Lanka. 

The launch was held at the flagship Lanka Sathosa outlet in Welisara under the leadership of the  Minister of  Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiutheen and the Lanka Sathosa Chairman Dr Rohantha Athukorala.

Anyone who has seen kids in a playground knows that most are naturally physically active and love to move around. But what might not be apparent is that climbing to the top of a slide or swinging from the monkey bars, can help lead kids to a lifetime of being active, said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiutheen addressing the parents and children who attended. Lanka Sathosa partners Nestle’s top brand Nestomalt is a unique initiative that helps build a healthy nation and strong economy, he commented.

Chairman Lanka Sathosa Dr Athukorala voiced “ in the last 3 months we see how the revenue has doubled to end the year at a commanding 26 billion rupees and now we are driving towards a 35 billion plus target in 2016. But more importantly we want to drive good habits in Sri Lanka when Lanka Sathosa is a power brand with store equity of 3.4 and brand health of 67% trial to retention. 

“We started the year with a partnership with the household global leader Unilever partnering Lanka Sathosa launch to a new product exclusively in the Laundry Care category that kicked in a 47% growth month on month for largest retail chain. Today we are partnering the global food giant Nestle to drive “ Active Kids” to help develop a stronger economy” said Dr Athukorala.

Latest reseach carried out in Sri Lanka reveals that as children grow, it can be a challenge for them to get enough daily activity. Reasons include the increasing demands of school work, a feeling among some children that they are not good at sports, a lack of active role models, and busy working families. The research insight included that kids who are active have stronger muscles and bones, can control their weight better, had less  risk of developing type 2 diabetes, slept better and had a better outlook on life. Such healthy and  physically active children were also more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. 

Physical competence builds self-esteem at every age, according to the UNCEF.

Lanka Sathosa will become of the most exciting but knowledgeable brands in Sri Lanka where the housewife will trust the brand stronger said Chairman Dr Athukorala. 

Sri Lanka must believe more in stronger private-public partnership that must hinge on  greater community stakeholder engagement voiced Minister Rishard Bathiudeen. The Minister of Industry and Commerce approved of the new  energy levels at Lanka Sathosa and voiced that ‘ We must make profit within six months’