Business
SL’s Kithul-based treacle and jaggery for Gulf markets

By Hiran H.Senewiratne
A local company is now in the process of venturing into the lucrative export Gulf market through its flagship product, Kithul based treacle and jaggery. Initially, the company will target the UAE market and afterwards other Arab countries.
“Both our products were introduced to the local market as niche products one year ago and are already exporting to Australia and several other countries, chairman, C-lon Kitchen & Healthy Foods, Rohan Wijeweera told The Island Financial Review.
‘The Gulf region is a lucrative market and there is a big demand for pure Kithul treacle among Arabs, which could be harnessed if we supply quality products, he said.
Wijeweera adds: “Now we have secured an order from a Gulf online sales company to market these products under the tag, ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ under the “Deegayush” brand and initially two containers will be exported to Dubai most probably next month. After that we will be targeting Canada and the UK markets.
“Kithul treacle and jaggery are made from the sap harvested directly by tappers living in border areas of the Sinharaja forest in the Rathnapura district. We have come to a forward buying agreement with around 250 tappers in this region, whom we also support by paying a premium price and also by some other CSR initiatives.
“The sap is then brought to our processing plant in Piliyandala where we process it. Kithul treacle is known to contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants, organic acids which are bioactive, amino acids that have many functions, beta carotenes that produce vitamin A and ascorbic acid or vitamin C that improves immunity.
“Thus, it is known to yield as many health benefits as Kithul jaggery. It prevents arthritis, improves complexion, alleviates constipation, aids weight loss and combats blood sugar. For nearly the same reasons as Kithul jaggery, Kithul treacle or syrup is witnessing massive demand locally as well as internationally.
“Today the demand for pure and natural Kithul products far outstrips the supply and due to lack of sap many local manufactures add sugar and other artificial sweeteners to the products thereby diluting the health benefits of it. However, we ensure not to add artificial ingredients and due to this our products are sold at a premium price from leading super markets under the brand name, “Deegayush”.
“Behind the scarcity of Kithul products there are several reasons, such as the shortage of tappable jaggery palms, fewer people being engaged in this industry due to the inherent risks and the profession not being accepted among the youth.
“Also less numbers are involved in jaggery palm planting since the tree takes around 7 years to mature before being fit for tapping.
“I am also looking at making Kithul treacle and jaggery from sugarcane, once again, targeting the export market as well.
“We are also manufacturing several immune boosters from locally sourced material. We next plan to introduce a curd to the market. More details could be obtained from, ceykitchen@gmail.com”
Business
Pasans Rent a Car honoured at Iconic Awards 2025 in Thailand

Pasans Rent a Car (Pvt) Ltd was recently honoured as The Excellent Car Rentals and Tour Service Provider of the Year at the Iconic Awards 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Managing Director, Dr. Pasan Nalinda Hiripitiyage received the award. Established in 2002 as a modest vehicle rental service, Pasans Rent a Car has today grown into a national name in travel and transport. Headquartered in Malabe, they cater to a wide range of clients such as private customers, tourists, and private and Government institutions including Ministries.
Business
Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India announce strategic clinical collaboration

Medihelp Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals Group-India have announced a strategic clinical collaboration during a grand ceremony at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The MOU outlines a framework for clinical collaboration, focusing on knowledge sharing, advanced specialty care, preventive health initiatives, and continuous professional development. This partnership aims to elevate clinical standards in Sri Lanka by introducing global best practices through joint programs, telemedicine, second-opinion services, and medical education.
The agreement was signed and exchanged by Nishantha Jayamanne, Chief Operating Officer of Medihelp Hospitals, and Jithu Jose, Vice President – International Division of Apollo Hospitals. Nishantha welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in light of the escalating disease burden and changing disease patterns. Jithu Jose remarked, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are committed to the principle that access to high-quality healthcare should transcend geographical boundaries. We are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen the ties between the medical communities of India and Sri Lanka.”
Business
Union Assurance leads fight against diabetes with nationwide ‘Suwamaga’ initiative

Union Assurance, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s private life insurance sector, is playing an increasingly proactive role in addressing the country’s rising diabetes crisis. As part of its commitment to corporate citizenship, the company has launched Suwamaga, an impactful CSR programme aimed at combating the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on diabetes.
Senath Jayatilake, Chief Executive Officer at Union Assurance, explained that the company’s corporate responsibility approach stems from its new brand vision, which is centered around empowering human progress by protecting what matters most. He emphasized that this vision is aligned with the company’s dedication to strengthening not only financial stability but also the emotional, physical, and community well-being of Sri Lankans. “As part of our strategic direction, we recognized the severe impact of NCDs, particularly diabetes, on the nation’s social and economic progress,” Jayatilake noted.
The Suwamaga programme launched in 2024, under the Ministry of Health’s collaboration, includes a Mobile Screening Unit, which has already screened over 26,000 individuals across Sri Lanka, from urban centers to rural communities. The mobile unit offers free diabetes screenings, followed by personalized medical advice, empowering the public to take charge of their health. Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, shared, “The screenings have revealed alarming results. Approximately 15% of participants were recommended for further testing, with 12% diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. These screenings have proven essential for early intervention.”
The gravity of the diabetes crisis in Sri Lanka was further highlighted by Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Diabetes Association. “Diabetes is a silent killer in Sri Lanka, affecting an alarming portion of the population,” she said, stressing that early detection is key to preventing the disease from progressing. “Pre-diabetes is reversible, but once diabetes is diagnosed, it’s a lifelong condition. Tragically, half of those affected remain unaware until complications arise.”
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