Thursday Oct 22, 2026
Thursday Oct 22, 2026
Thursday, 22 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Samagi Spice Exports Chairman Janaka Abeyrathne (second from left) exchanges the MOU with University of Ruhuna Professor in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Prof. Guttila Yugantha Jayasinghe. Others from left are Samagi Spice Exports Deputy Chairman Janitha Abeyrathne, Ruhuna University Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine Dr. L. B. Lahiru Prabodha and Senior Professor Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. W. Nilantha De Silva
Chief Guest former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya launches the SPICEUP website
TEXT AND PIX BY P. D. DE SILVA
Samagi Spice Exports Ltd., recently launched SPICEUP, a new Sri Lankan beverage brand, at the University of Ruhuna, Matara.
With a history dating back to 1969, Samagi Spice has taken a new step in its business journey by expanding beyond traditional spice exports into value added consumer products.
Through SPICEUP, the company aims to connect Sri Lanka’s internationally recognised cinnamon heritage with a contemporary beverage innovation, creating a distinctive identity in the country’s beverage market.
The SPICEUP range features a variety of products, including Original, Cream Soda, Power, GO, Cool, Burn, Memo+ and Zingy.
Designed to offer consumers a range of refreshment experiences, the products is available in two packaging formats: cans and plastic bottles, catering to different consumer preferences and occasions.
At the heart of the initiative is the potential of true Ceylon Cinnamon as a value-added ingredient in the beverage industry. Rather than limiting cinnamon to its traditional uses, SPICEUP seeks to explore new opportunities for bringing this iconic Sri Lankan spice into everyday consumer experiences.
The initiative also highlights the broader potential of transforming the country’s agricultural resources into innovative products with commercial value.
The launch ceremony was attended by former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya as the Chief Guest, alongside representatives from the Export Development Board (EDB), Industrial Development Board (IDB), Cinnamon Research Academy and other industry stakeholders.
A major highlight of the occasion was the official unveiling of the SPICEUP product range, followed by the launch of the brand’s official website.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Samagi Spice Exports and the University of Ruhuna, marking an important step towards strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.
The collaboration will provide a platform for future research, product innovation and value addition involving true Ceylon Cinnamon. By bringing together business expertise and university-based knowledge, the initiative aims to support the development of innovative, value-added products and contribute to Sri Lanka’s potential in international markets.
With its roots in the country’s spice industry and its ambitions in the beverage sector, SPICEUP is poised to begin a new chapter in Samagi Spice’s journey—one that seeks to bring the distinctive identity of Ceylon Cinnamon to a new generation of consumers.
