Business
Sri Lanka’s Agarwood tree value may well soar above Rs. 1 million with product diversification
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The value of an Agarwood (Wallapatta) tree in Sri Lanka will soar to more than Rs. 1 million by 2028 with properly curated product diversification, Kumar Dharmasena, Chairman of Pintanna Plantations said in Ayagama- Ratnapura on Saturday.
He said so while pledging to make Ayagama the heart of Agarwood farming in Sri Lanka along with high-tech processing of the perfumery end-product. He was speaking at an event where the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a commemorative stamp and first day cover recognising his forest products company’s contribution to the economy and the society at large.
Dharmasena unveiled a newly constructed multi-purpose building equipped with modern technology at Pintanna Estate coinciding with the commemorative stamp launch.
“We specialize in cultivating, adding value and exporting the processed end- product extracted from this most commercially valued tree to the global market and we bring foreign exchange to the country. I believed in this dream for many years when hardly anyone wanted to believe in it. We had only a limited number of investors who bought our plants those days and they also invested in the project placing trust in me rather than in the project’s future. But today, as the company possesses tangible assets in terms of increased farming land of Agarwood, manufacturing and processing plants, R&D centre, dedicated staff and sales centres in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman under ‘Silani ‘ brand, more and more investors are placing their trust in our growth trajectory. I think with proper product diversification, we should be able to increase the value of an Agarwood tree to more than Rs. 1 million by 2028. I invite potential investors to study and explore what we have achieved so far and join with us in our forward journey. By investing in Agarwood, you will get a good return on your investment and it will also help create a greener future for Sri Lanka,” he said.
Presenting return on investments (ROI) to a group of investors who had bought Agarwood plants three years ago, he said,” Today they got more than 22% ROI on their investments which is more attractive than current market interest rates. Having seen our growth and capacity, some investors have decided to reinvest their returns in the project on a longer term further encouraging us.”
“Today we are engaged in the total cycle of commercialization of Agarwood. At our state-of-the-art laboratory, we study and research this phenomenal Agarwood tree to harness more uses from it. Each successful experiment has proved to us that there is more to it than meets the eye. Our R&D activities will ensure consistent growth of our product portfolio beyond making Agarwood chips and Oud oil distilling. Agarwood tea is another one of our innovative products. In the years ahead, we will be focusing on using the extract of Agarwood in 102 products in addition to its main products. We have not achieved at least 50% of our potential yet. When our ‘Unanduwa’ perfume brand goes global and when our planned local and global expansion drive is completed, that will make up 50% of our journey,” he noted.
He went on to say that Wallapatta which gives the best of fragrances of Agarwood family is uniquely endemic to Sri Lanka, and therefore, all stakeholders engaged in the industry have a duty to safeguard the uniqueness of Sri Lankan Wallapatta without transporting its seeds beyond the country’s borders.
The event also saw the unveiling of Sri Lanka’s first Agarwood Museum which Dharmasena said would serve to ignite entrepreneurial spirit among Sri Lankan youth, requesting them to work hard and think innovatively to achieve success for themselves and the country.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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