Rani Sandalwood celebrates 80 years of beauty with a new look

From left: Deputy Chairperson/Managing Director Chulodhara Samarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer Amila Udawatte, Chairperson A. M. Wijewardene, Director Kavinda Dias-Abeyesinghe and The Swadeshi Industrial Works General Manager – Marketing Chaminda Jayasinghe 

Rani Sandalwood, Sri Lanka’s hallmark in beauty soaps for over eight decades, commemorating the 80 years of unparalleled quality served by the product with a new look under the theme of shine like a queen.  

In 1941, when the soap was first developed at the Swadeshi manufacturing facility in Kandana, it became the first Sri Lankan beauty soap to emerge in the market. Today, it is with great pride that the company recognises the confidence held by its customers in making Rani Sandalwood, the most popular and number one sandalwood beauty soap brand in the country.

“With the commitment to continuous improvement and constant elevation of benchmark standards, Rani Sandalwood has remained at the pinnacle of beauty care offerings in Sri Lanka. The brand’s presence goes beyond Sri Lanka’s shores, with it being widely acclaimed in the international market,” said The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC Chairperson A.M. Wijewardene. 

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC utilises its state-of-the-art facilities and modern research and development and manufacturing methodologies to innovate and bring new beauty and personal care products to the market that delight the refined tastes of its customers. This emphasis is evident by the company’s investment in R&D. The company boasts of cutting-edge technology laboratories and its processes have been certified to ISO 9001–2015 standard by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). 

The endorsement of Sri Lankan beauty by Rani Sandalwood extends to its unwavering support to sponsor the Sri Lankan beauty pageants ‘Miss Ceylon’ and ‘Miss Sri Lanka’ through the 1960s to 1980s.

For over many centuries, Sandalwood has been the secret of beauty for women of royalty. It was the practice to apply the natural paste from rubbing of sandalwood bark on a stone, to adorn the skin, which helped the princesses and noble women to soften the skin, reduce the uncomely oiliness and beautify the skin, thereby helping to maintain a radiant complexion. 

The beauty from Sandalwood is not only an outcome of its effect on the outer skin, but it is also the result of Sandalwood having medicinal properties to regulate the blood flow, which brings a natural glow to the skin. These medicinal properties also serve as a deterrent for skin diseases and helps cool the body limiting the effects of perspiration. Hence, sandalwood came to be the most effective herbal remedy of choice in beautifying skin amongst our ancestors. 

When reminiscing of delightful fragrances, it is Sandalwood that naturally comes to our mind. The fragrance of sandalwood brings out the nostalgia of purity and it’s a divine, heavenly fragrance make women feel more feminine. 

The calming effect that Sandalwood brings to human spirituality was recently discovered by certain scientists from the West. These findings are discussed even in online international encyclopaedias showing that the interest in Sandalwood has now been embraced even by the westerners.

The queen of beauty soaps, Rani Sandalwood enriched with sandalwood oil, and the 80 years of reassurance in beauty. 

Rani Sandalwood of The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC remains the market leader in the product segment of sandalwood beauty care products. 

As a 100% local company Swadeshi continues its nation building and community CSR projects for our Sri Lankan communities. The Swadeshi Khomba brand is dedicated to carrying out sustainability projects which focus on caring for Mother Nature and enhancing cultural values. 

The company’s many community outreach initiatives include islandwide annual lighting ceremony of temples ‘Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya,’ hand washing sinks for temples and railway stations, education on hand washing steps through a video targeting children during COVID-19 pandemic situation, kohomba tree planting campaigns, donation of water tanks for the communities and schools in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and Khomba Baby care gifts to pregnant mothers. 

The pioneer and market leader in the herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, was incorporated in 1941.  Among the pioneer brands of Swadeshi are Rani Sandalwood, Swadeshi Khomba, Swadeshi Khomba Baby, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Safeplus, Black Eagle Perfume and Rani and Khomba Swadeshi Shower Gel range. 

“As the country’s leading herbal personal care products company, we would like consumers to learn more about the functional benefits of the herbal ingredients used by Swadeshi in all its products, we use only the best of Sri Lankan herbs, and all ingredients are extensively researched, and the products fully tested to ensure quality and all our products are 100% vegetarian, not tested on animals and cruelty free. Swadeshi products including Rani Sandalwood, are accredited by the Vegetarian Society, UK.”

This stands testament to the company’s forward-thinking practices, as well as our desire to help consumers make ethical and eco-friendly choices. The company has always considered the health and environmental impact of its products and continues to prioritise it. Swadeshi, a truly Sri Lankan company has claimed many industry firsts to its name including the most recent COVID-19 safety management certification.

The Swadeshi Industrial Works Chairperson A.M. Wijewardene unveiling the new look of Rani Sandalwood during the Rani re-stage event held at the Barefoot Gallery, Colombo 3