Introducing a few health food entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has no dearth of talent. Much of this talent is hourly and daily leaving this country for reasons beyond their control. Many who are thus leaving are people who have tried their level best to do some good to this nation but who received scant support and in many instances zero support from a policy aspect and in comparison they sought out countries which as part of their national policy appreciated people for what they can contribute to the nation whether it is art, music, literature, technology, farming, food entrepreneurship or any other. 

Having said the above, what we must remember is that each of us is a treasure trove of support. The number of citizens of this nation is larger than the number 225. 

All of us have diverse forms of power and this power we can use to support our fellow citizens and their talent which culminates in supporting our country of which we the citizens are owners of. 

This page has repeatedly supported the local innovation, entrepreneurship and renewable energy innovation as routes to national wellbeing and harmony and today we place some contact numbers of a few such innovators. We focus today mainly on food-based innovators. Any of our readers who feel they can support these entrepreneurs can do so, keeping in mind that their invention should be safeguarded so that unscrupulous elements do not misuse it, as often happens in Sri Lanka. 

1.Dekalan Kandage Priyanthi Mallika of rural Kegalle, is an international award winner for diverse health foods such as ice cream varieties that are specifically made to international standards which are moving away from sugar content in ice cream and ‘soya meat’ alternatives made using local super-health indigenous food produce. She focuses on vegetarian food items and those that may help people trying to shift from meat eating to a vegetarian diet and thus has ‘dada mas’ (wild hunting meat) tasting food produce which has only vegetable content. Her food product range runs into hundreds. The reader may contact her on the following number to order her products – 0761722778. Please note that this health food entrepreneur lives in interior areas of Kegalle where there are weak telephone signals and hence if you cannot reach her at once, keep trying or send a message.

2. Ruby Mariyathas, of Kilinochchi is an entrepreneur who uses North and South cuisine for peacebuilding and who had pioneered the traditional Sinhala Kola Kenda tradition in Kilinochchi and manufactures her grandmother’s Siddha medicine based hair oil recipe for many head-related ailments. She is now in the process of teaming up with a south traditional food producer to establish a national unity focused food catering service. She produces several north traditional sweetmeats tweaked with innovation and is especially known for her air oil brand Arokya, created with an ancient Siddha medicine related recipe passed down from her grandmother. This hair oil is considered beneficial for hair fall, premature greying and headaches.

She can be contacted on 0765518770.

3. Samanlatha Jayakody of Polgahawela, produces a wide range of traditional Sinhala heritage foods under the brand name of Hela Rasa and include traditional grain and rice arranged as artisan products. She can be contacted on 0372243831.

4. Subothan Mahadevan, is an entrepreneur using the Tamil Heritage Wooden Sekku tradition of gingerly oil produced from Kilinochchi as part of his ‘Mathura’ food brand. Under this brand he also produces paneer and several other products for vegetarians. He can be contacted on 0777116223.

5. Sabrina Ferdinand-Wannakuwatte of Piliyandala has innovated under the brand Saby’s Kitchen, a diverse range of cakes for events such as birthdays and anniversaries that are also especially popular for the Christmas season. Her cakes consists of fruits and nuts. She can be contacted on 0783529463.

The above information was provided as a bid to boost local entrepreneurship and will be continued weekly as we identify innovation and entrepreneurship from around Sri Lanka, belonging to diverse cultures and talents celebrated within our country.