Waffle Boy bags two Golds at Entrepreneur of the Year

Saturday, 6 April 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Waffle Boy MD Chaturanga Kariyawasam receiving the award

Revolutionary edible packaging manufacturer, the Waffle Boy won the National Gold Award in Small Category and the Gold Award for Small Category of Western Province at the Entrepreneur of the year – 2018 awards ceremony organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

Having started in 2011 based on an experiment to expand the shelf life of waffle cones the Waffle Boy has come a long way to become the market leader in the waffle cones industry in Sri Lanka. Waffle Boy MD Chaturanga Kariyawasam, recollecting his success story said, “The preamble for edible cups was set when I saw the two ice cream scoops were served in a plastic cup with a plastic spoon struck in the middle. Both the cup and the spoon was soon dumped in a bin that was full of plastic waste.” He successfully manufactured the edible cup and then the edible cutlery which led to high demand. “I’m proud to say these are available only in one other country in the world.”

During the years the company managed to introduce a range of innovative products such as edible cups, edible cutlery, different shape tartlet shells, ready to eat fruit cocktail and instant fried rice. Waffle Boy ventured into the hotel industry by producing various shapes of tartlet shells which are very unique to the Sri Lankan market. Waffle Boy, during a very short span of time has come along a very successful journey and has won several awards including; Best Innovator Award in the years 2015 and 2016 at the Innovators’ Day organised by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In 2015 the company managed to move to its own building and obtained ISO 22000, GMP, HACCP. Currently the company has given 20 employment opportunities. Kariyawasam thanked all his staff for contributing tirelessly to achieve this remarkable feat and his vision is to introduce new products to overseas markets and build up an international brand.