Siddhalepa strengthens unbroken presence at Sripada

The Sripada season which began on the Unduwap Poya in December, has had the privilege of an unbroken presence of the Siddhalepa First Aid camp at Gangula Thenna, for 43 consecutive years throughout the six-month pilgrim season, each year.

Initiated by the late Chairman, Deshabandu, Dr. Victor Hettigoda as far back as 1979, when the concept of CSR was novel or unfamiliar in our country, the Siddhalepa first aid camp has now become a familiar and most sought-after place of respite for weary pilgrims.

Dr. Hettigoda launched his pioneering venture of creating consumer moments around the Siddhalepa brand, by identifying with accuracy and clarity the key driving force in introducing the company’s flagship product. 

Siddhalepa transformed into a healing brand among devotees, provided free-of-charge at pilgrim sites like Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak), Kataragama, Kandy (Dalada) Perahera, Madu Church Feast and Nallur Kovil Festivals and even in schools. His strategy of targeting consumption moments and offering consumers the product experience has tremendously helped the company build brand loyalty and equity.

The climb to the peak through mist and cold, very often creates an imbalance in the human body’s vatha, pitha, kapa (three dosha) causing sneezing, cold and influenza. Siddhalepa Lakpeyawa boosts immunity and is a protection against such discomforts. The Siddhalepa balm on your forehead helps to protect from the cold and is also a relief to pilgrims who suffer muscle and joint pains in legs on their descent. 

The first aid camp in Gangulethenna, now an established landmark about 2.5 km to the peak accommodates about 200 pilgrims at any given time. The healing hands of a well-trained team of first aid staff reach out to the unending stream of pilgrims, who stop by at the Siddhalepa First aid station, during the six-month pilgrim season. They work day and night in shifts, serving refreshing cups of warm Lak Peyawa and providing the pain relievers; Siddhalepa balm, spray and inhalers to the estimated 1.5 million pilgrims who make this journey of devotion each year.  

Siddhalepa’s second first aid camp is located about three km away from the peak, in Galvangediya to cater to those pilgrims using the Rathnapura route to reach the peak. 

As the company’s oldest and most traditional CSR program moves on to its fourth consecutive decade, their focus on activities have matured from the initial years to adopt national causes, chiefly the protection of the environment around Adam’s Peak. 

Siddhalepa strengthened their garbage management initiative with separate bins for polythene, plastic and degradable garbage. This year a recycling project of the garbage was also undertaken by the Maskeliya Pradeshyia Council.  

The six-kilometre climb to the peak of Sri Pada on the Hatton road from Nallathanniya to the Uda Maluwa are provided and maintained with 200 waste bins by the company. 

Siddhalepa has also erected and maintains advisory and guiding boards which are very helpful for the pilgrims on both routes on their ascent to the peak.

The two bathing units built by the company for pilgrims who take a bath in the river before they begin their climb to the peak has proved to be immensely useful and are maintained by the company as a special service to pilgrims.