Swadeshi wins Apsara Venivel over Vendol after decade long battle

After a decade of hearings, Colombo Commercial High Court has ruled in favour of The Swadeshi Industries over the ownership of Apsara Venivel Ayurvedic Beauty Soap.

Swadeshi Industries, a leading manufacturer of beauty care brands in the country launched an ayurvedic skin care soap Apsara Venivel in 2000. Taking advantage of the popularity of the product, Vendol Lanka Company Ltd, started to market a soap with the same name Apsara Venivel in an identical pack.  

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC filed a case against Vendol Lanka Company Ltd., for imitating their Apsara Venivel in 2000 and applied an injunction order against Vendol Lanka Ltd to prevent marketing and distribution of the imitated Apsara Venivel.

At the request, the court ruling ordered the accused an injunction order not to manufacture or market the product until the case is heard.

After considering the evidence of the case High Court judge, Mahinda Samayawardena ruled that Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC is entitled to the ownership of the trade mark Apsara Venivel on 26 June 2012.

Swadeshi Industrial Works Chairperson said, “During the proud history of our company we have introduced many new products to our customers. Each and every product was launched after many research done. Apsara Venivel is the only beauty soap certified by the Indian Ayurvedic Academy and that is enriched with Venivel. We consider the court order has protected our legacy and consumers as well.”

The pioneer and market leader in herbal personal care products in Sri Lanka, Swadeshi Industrial Works, introduced Apsara Venivel in 2000 enriched with Venivel – a good cleansing agent, turmeric – to maintain a glowing skin, aloe vera to maintain the moisture of the skin and Kokum which act as a softening agent. The company manufactures and markets many leading brands including the number one herbal soap brand Khomba Herbal and the heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.

Prasanna Jayawardene with Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe and Anisha Yasaratne instructed by Mahinda Wickramaratne for the Plaintiff and Gamini Marapana, PC, with Dinal Philips, PC, and Navin Marapana instructed by Paul Ratnayake Associates for the Defendants.