Dr. Anura Rathnayake, the Founder and Chairman of ADETEX-ID and pioneering Sri Lankan scientist whose innovations have garnered global recognition joined hands Lanka’s top female fitness personality, social media influencer, and renowned coach, Sarani Tillekeratne to introduce Sampayo, a revolutionary athleisure wear brand.

In 2017, Dr. Rathnayake achieved the remarkable feat of securing 3rd place at the prestigious ‘Global Change Award,’ an annual competition organized by the H&M Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. His winning creation, ‘Content Thread,’ introduced a groundbreaking digital filament that revolutionized the sorting and recycling of clothes. This innovation triumphed over approximately 3,000 cutting-edge technological concepts submitted by 130 participants from around the world.

What sets Sampayo apart is its pioneering use of RFID technology, specifically in the form of RFiD Threads. Developed by ADETEX-ID Ltd., a company founded by Dr. Rathnayake, this technology makes its debut in the Sri Lankan market through Sampayo.

The Sampayo brand is designed to cater to a diverse audience, from professional athletes to fitness enthusiasts, casual athletes, and fashion-conscious individuals. The brand’s underlying concept is ‘Athletes at Leisure,’ celebrating those who engage in workouts, prioritize a healthy lifestyle, and applaud those who strive to live better.

Sampayo’s unique approach involves utilizing fabrics typically associated with activewear to craft leisurewear. RFiD Threads, the industry’s first RFiD tag in the form of a thread, have been ingeniously incorporated into the brand’s products. These threads are designed to endure the entire lifecycle of the garment and herald a new era of possibilities for digitally connected fashion. As one of the first intrinsically integrated digital identification systems, RFiD Threads link products to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Founder Sarani Tillekeratne, an international Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified Transformation, Nutrition, and Bodybuilding Specialist, as well as a certified fitness trainer and group class trainer, emphasized the brand’s commitment to health, fitness, and sustainability. Sarani expressed, “Health and fitness are increasingly taking precedence in the lives of people in Colombo and its suburbs. However, it is essential that we educate and empower Sri Lankans throughout the island to live healthy lives sustainably and affordably. Through Sampayo, we aim to raise environmental awareness about the importance of using recyclable garments as we, as a nation, progress towards leading a healthier lifestyle.”