In the fight against Covid 19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, the wisdom of Ayurveda and its remedies to enhance the immunity has been recognized by the government of Sri Lanka.

The wisdom of Ayurveda, 'Sushruta Samhita' written in 1200 BC- 600 BC clearly explains how a disease can be contagious and also how it can be prevented. Ayurveda focuses on preventing diseases as much as curative remedial procedures and it states that immunity, physical & mental strength and hygienic practices are the paramount means to prevent a disease from spreading and becoming contagious.

As the country’s pioneer and leading Ayurveda products manufacturer, Ayurveda health-care service provider and promoter, Hettigoda Group with a heritage of over 200-years, passing on to the 6th generation is playing a key role in shaping the future of Ayurveda industry in Sri Lanka and the Asian region. Our flagship brand ‘Siddhalepa’, is now a household name and it is the ‘Vedamahattaya in every household’. Our consumers, the people of Sri Lanka have shown the trust and faith towards us and have embraced ‘Siddhalepa’ for 85 years.

‘Siddhalepa’ has been with the people of Sri Lanka through numerous adversities to the nation. Whether it is Tsunami, flood or any other disaster faced by the country, Siddhalepa has come to the forefront to look after our people by being a great example of corporate social responsibility.

As The Leader of Ayurveda industry in Sri Lanka, who identified the importance of educating and producing immune boosting products for the community in the fight against Covid19, Siddhalepa donated Ayurveda medicines to IDH hospital on 09th April 2020 . Siddhalepa Group Managing Director Mr. Asoka Hettigoda and staff handed over the goods to the Director Dr. Hasitha Aththanayaka and Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama of IDH. Siddhalepa wishes the best of health to all hospital staff, doctors and nurses in the country who are making a tremendous commitment in the fight against Covid19.

Siddhalepa extends this donation of Ayurveda medicines with the aim of enhancing the immunity of our medical heros who are tirelessly caring for the worst affected Covid19 patients at IDH.

The donation consists of:

Siddhalepa Lakpeyawa to promote immunity

Ginger, coriander, pathpadagam, venivel and thippili are well known immunity boosters. Ideal for fever, common colds, headaches, body aches and pains caused by aggravation of the three doshas. Anti-inflammatory properties of ayurveda ingredients pacifies vata, pita, kapa dosha.

Siddhalepa Balm for steam inhalation

Recommends herbal steam inhalation twice a day with 2g of Siddhalepa. Eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, cinnamon oil, pinene oil, menthol and camphor of Siddhalepa helps to prevent breathing difficulties and respiratory discomforts.

Aqualive Rasakinda

Rasakinda is a well known immune booster. It reduces stress and gives a cooling effect to the body.

Another proud accolade to the Siddhalepa Family.

The Managing Director of Hettigoda Group, Mr. Asoka Hettigoda has been recognized as one of the ‘100 Sri Lankan business people who continue to drive the nation’s engine of growth’ by LMD’s THE 100 CLUB; the 2019 A list.

“6 generations of legacy of Hettigoda Family has played a vital role in reviving the heritage of indigenous Ayurveda or Hela Vedakama and presented the goodness of Ayurveda in a modern and accessible manner to meet the needs of today’s society. Also, his visionary leadership has taken various steps to position Sri Lankan Ayurveda as an authentic and unique brand in the international market.”

It was their dream come true for three preschool children “young kekulus” when they walked up on stage to receive their awards as the winner, first and second runner up of the Siddhalepa Kekulu Art Competition 2019.

The three best from over 50,000 entries countrywide were selected by judges veteran artists, Mr. Bandula Harischandra and Mrs. Kusum Mangalika.

The three winners, overall all island winner U.G Esanya Theunuli of Southern Navy Preschool, Galle, first runner up, A. M Dishan Thashmila of Little Flowers Preschool, Monaragala and second runner up, W. Imethma Sethumi Gunarathne of Sachitha Preschool, Kegalle were beaming with smiles, overjoyed with their first taste of success in a national competition.

It has been a long wait for all the tiny tots for their great day. Entries for the competition opened in August 2019 and closed in October 2019. Top 100 winners, their parents and preschool teachers attended the prize giving ceremony held at J. R. Jayawardene Center, Colombo 07 on 19th December 2019.

Understanding and accepting the fact that the three best entries for a depicting a ‘Rainy Day’ will win and that the judges’ decision is final, the young children enjoyed the anticipation and excitement of the event and applauded the winners with an explosion of clapping.

The Competition was open to preschool children in all 25 districts and an overall winner was selected on national basis. All participants received a certificate as an encouragement and recognition of their participation.

The Kekulu Art Competition held for the eighth consecutive year by Siddhalepa, demonstrates a firm commitment to the younger generation to provide a platform for preschool children to express their inherent talents.

The board members of Hettigoda Industries, headed by Chairman Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda and MD, Mr. Asoka Hettigoda participated in the event.

The competition has attracted sponsorships from top business partners as one of the top national art competitions conducted by a Sri Lankan Company for eight consecutive years. The official banking partner this year too was Hatton National Bank. Media partners included official radio partner - Neth FM, Official print media partner - AthuruMithuru, a Lakehouse publication for children. HiChemicals (Pvt) Ltd. and Sarasavi Exports, Pannipitiya were also co-sponsors of the event.

The all island competition reaching preschools in every district, carries the Siddhalepa message of natural, safe and mild protection and care for infants and young children, through their Kekulu range to all mothers.

The baby soap range with its refreshing fragrances of jasmine, hibiscus, aloevera and aruda and in attractive colours, are mild and safe for infants, and contains additional health benefits to infant skin making this ayurveda range a popular, safe and affordable choice for young mothers.

The baby colognes with their distinctive range of colours and fragrances compliment the Kekulu soaps. To supplement their signature baby soap range, the Kekulu range also offers an ayurvedic toothpaste which protects and gums and teeth and a baby toothbrush.

The Siddhalepa Group has an 85-year long history of manufacturing a range of pharmaceutical, and personal care products using the knowledge of ayurveda medicine handed down six generations. Over the years the company has developed state of the art production lines and techniques for their products to meet all quality standard and conform with ISO standards.

Names of winners

1. 1. U.G Esanya Theunuli of Southern Navy Preschool, Galle
2. 2. A. M Dishan Thashmila of Little Fowers Preschool, Monaragala
3. 3. W. Imethma Sethumi Gunarathne of Sachitha Preschool, Kegalle

British Parliament took time to acknowledge and honour the work of the Hettigoda family and their services to Sri Lankan Ayurveda recently.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Indian Traditional Sciences of the House of Commons welcomed Asoka Hettigoda to address dignitaries and guests of the committee regarding Sri Lankan Ayurveda and work that his family has been devoted to for over 200 years.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to UK, along with representatives from the Indian High Commission, were guests of the group chaired by Baroness Verma alongside Baroness Uddin and other parliamentarians. 

Asoka received an award of recognition “Ayurveda Ratna” for the exceptional service of the highest order for the furtherance of Ayurveda. In addition, and on behalf of his family, Asoka also received an award honour of his ancestral lineage over six generations of Ayurvedic Physicians in Sri Lanka.

The event was covered by journalists representing Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Australia, Japan, China, and Middle East. We hope to conduct this symposium annually and will certainly be a boost to Sri Lankan Ayurveda to promote its efficacy throughout the world.

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Siddhalepa MD Asoka Hettigoda, honoured with ‘Ayurveda Ratna’ in British Parliament - Friday, November 29, 2019, Daily News

Continuing with its successful spree of being among the top winners of green awards, Siddhalepa was honoured once again with a Silver Trophy at the Presidential Environment Awards 2019, held recently.

The award in the Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Category was for excellence in their work towards the Environmental Conservation.

Siddhalepa has consistently raised its bar for green standards diligently by working on its green approaches in the industry and CSR commitments to maintain and improve their focus on environment protection in all its manufacturing processes and in its plantations.

An all-encompassing and well-defined Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2015 is in operation to mitigate the environmental impact of overall industrial activities.

The company’s green approaches are steered mainly through an environmental policy of adopting the 3R principle, landscaping, emission control and the reduction of Carbon Footprint.

Siddhalepa has so far achieved a 20% deduction in (Green House Gas) GHG Emission from 2017-2018 through carbon set off projects. The company has so far achieved a carbon foot print reduction by 57 tones CO2, set off 9 tones CO2 through carbon sequestration processes in their plantations.

The company’s comprehensive Carbon Management Plan includes establishing energy efficiency appliances and resource optimization, establishing a green procurement policy, participating in more carbon neutral projects, identifying GHG reduction opportunities and creating awareness on the impacts of the climate change.

The company’s green approaches also include the 3R principle where the international environment norm of reduce, recycle and reuse is practiced by the use of effective waste management methods for all other types of waste in the company.

Its solid waste management program is a combination of several strategies: for minimization of waste generation, minimization of non-degradable material, biodegradable material and polythene and a strategy for overall energy saving and minimization of waste water generation.

The company also continuously work on developing new green energy sources. One such project is the preparation of briquettes by the use of Asamodagam seeds & herbal residuals as an alternative fuel for biomass boilers. Herbal raw materials are dried by the use of a sun drier.

This is the third consecutive win for Siddhalepa at the Presidential Environment Awards. They have also won awards at the National Cleaner Production for water efficiency, material efficiency and production practices from 2009 to 2011.

“This achievement of being among the top winners for three consecutive years, underscores our commitment to living with harmony, which is a fundamental principle of Ayurveda,” said Director, Lankani Hettigoda.

“As we grow our business and expand our operations, our attention and commitment towards sustainability and a greener Sri Lanka, continuously evolve to reach our company’s aspirations of creating a healthy, holistic lifestyle for all our people,” she added.

The company’s nationwide campaign, an innovative project for schoolchildren - the Herbal Garden, has been hailed as a pioneering and unique environment program which encourages children at a very young age to contribute to protecting our environment. In a country wide program, schoolchildren are trained to grow indigenous herbs in their school premises and care for the garden with the assistance provided for plants, tools, manure etc. by Siddhalepa.

The company also runs a highly successful national waste management program at key religious sites including Sri Pada, Kataragama, Nallur Kovil, Ragama Basilica, etc. and maternity homes in the entire country.

Storage containers for raw material are modified as waste bins, segregated into various forms of disposables and distributed to these sites to be used to manage waste.

Among the other CSR projects undertaken by Siddhalepa are the free medical camps for international calendar events, such as World Diabetes Day, Elders’ Day, Women’s Day, Children’s Day, etc. an IT Training Centre for Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena and Dengue awareness programs.

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Siddhalepa: only Ayurveda company to win Presidential Environment Awards twice - Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Daily News

One of the most important dates in British Parliamentary history is the 5th of November 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the gunpowder plot, failed to blow up Parliament along with King James I. While celebrating an event which took place over 400 years ago, members of Parliament took time to acknowledge and honour the work of the Hettigoda family and their services to Sri Lankan Ayurveda.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Indian Traditional Sciences of the House of Commons welcomed Asoka Hettigoda to address dignitaries and guests of the committee regarding Sri Lankan Ayurveda and work that his family has been devoted to for over 200 years.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to UK, Excellency Manisha Gunasekara along with representatives from the Indian High Commission, were guests of the group chaired by Baroness Verma alongside Baroness Uddin and other parliamentarians.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Indigenous Ayurveda in Sri Lanka has a history of over 6000 years dating from King Pulasthi, grandfather of famous king Ravana, who popularized the concept of “Hela Vedakama” (Indigenous Ayurveda of Sri Lanka) holistic medicine. King Ravana, who was a specialist Ayurveda physician, developed fundamentals of Hela Wedakama, such as Nila – Pressure points therapy, Chakra – Energy points, Pulse Diagnosis and Rasa Osu – medicines using minerals and herbs. According to current research, Sri Lanka has more than 3700 plant species and of it more than 1400 are considered to have medicinal properties while nearly 200 are endemic. This clearly highlights the rich bio-diversity of this tiny island, Sri Lanka.

The Hettigoda family with its roots in the southern city of Galle, started the practice of Traditional Ayurveda and Astrology over 200 hundred years ago, using local herbs and know how to treat the people of the area. My grandfather, Dr. Hendrick De Silva Hettigoda, was appointed as the village headman in 1920’s and continued his family practice of Ayurveda in his clinic in Walpola, Imaduwa a suburb of Galle. Fluent in English, Dr. Hettigoda was known to be a specialist in Kidney Diseases, travelled to India for further studies. After completing several years of studies in 1934, an Indian rishi, his guru in India, gave him the secret formula of Siddhalepa Balm. On his return, he started producing Siddhalepa Balm and began prescribing it not only in his clinic, but also in other Ayurveda pharmacies throughout the island becoming the Sri Lanka’s first commercial Ayurvedic product. As he was a traditional doctor with very little business acumen, his business went bust, but continued his practice at his clinic.

My father Victor, the fifth in a family of nine children, followed his father’s footsteps but was not actively practicing Ayurveda. In 1972, with Hendrick’s decision to handover all the Ayurvedic formulations to Victor, the story of Siddhalepa turned to a new chapter. He established Hettigoda Industries Ltd as a private limited liability company. With greatest difficulty, he obtained the approval in 1974 from the Ministry of Health, making Siddhalepa the first Ayurvedic product approved by the Independent Sri Lanka. From its early days, Victor’s keen interest in developing a professional company producing quality Ayurvedic medicines complying to national health standards resulted in creating a new FMCG industry segment for over-the-counter (OTC) Ayurvedic products.

Innovation was a key driver of his journey, as many of the traditional pharmacopeia medicines were introduced to the market in convenient easy to use packaging, while several groundbreaking new products were also launched revolutionizing the market. Visaka, the first toilet soap with herbal decoctions, Supirivicky, the first brown toothpaste with Ayurvedic Churna or powder and oils with no Fluoride, Ayurvedic capsules, Cough Syrup, Asamodagam, Digestive and Gastritis relief, Diacin, medicinal tea for Diabetes, are some of the innovative products to enter the market making Ayurveda part of daily life. Recognizing the need to obtain acceptability in the medicine market, Hettigoda Industries embarked on several research projects in house as well as with external parties. Projects were conducted with local and foreign universities and the findings were published in reputed journals.

In 1982, Hettigoda Industries became the first Sri Lankan company to export Ayurvedic products and our first shipment was to Germany followed by several European countries. This was a clear sign that there was a demand for natural products in the developed world. With its portfolio of products expanding into more than one-hundred, Siddhalepa brand was well established in Sri Lanka and became a household name, especially with its slogan “Siddhalepa - an Ayurvedic doctor in every home”.

As one the core principles of the company was to produce quality products, in 1994 we became the first company in Sri Lanka to obtain ISO 9001 International Quality certification. Within few years, Hettigoda Industries obtained ISO 14000, 22000, HACCP, GMP and other local certifications becoming the most quality conscious Ayurveda Company in Sri Lanka.

Expanding its journey, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital was established in 1988 as the first Ayurveda hospital with specialist channeled consultations. This was a groundbreaking concept in Ayurveda where all specialists came under one roof providing their own medicines. Hospital consists of 40-beds and provides treatments to many ailments specializing in Arthritis, Stroke, Fractures, Rheumatism, Asthma, Diabetes, spondylitis, weight loss and other stress related ailments. To further popularize the Ayurvedic philosophy, Siddhalepa Hospital partners many local and international Medical programs where internships are offered and one such program is with Uppsala University of Sweden.

Recognizing the demand to offer quality Ayurvedic services to discerning tourists, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health resort was established in 1999 as the first purpose built health resort in Sri Lanka. With its aim to provide holistic therapy, Siddhalepa resort offers a complete medical holiday conducted by Ayurvedic doctors, trained therapists, using traditional Ayurvedic oils, creams, pastes, tonics and powders produced at our own facilities to international standards. In addition, yoga, meditation, cooking lessons, elixir tasting sessions, visits to Ayurveda factory have made it a unique and an experience that is memorable. In addition, these guests have access to many consultants who visit the hospital and are registered in our on-line Ask Doctor platform which provides regular medical advice even after they leave the resort. Siddhalepa Resort has won many local and international awards including the President’s Award, Pacific Asia Travel Association awards, South Asian Travel Association Awards as the best Ayurveda Resort and the best wellness & Spa brand of Sri Lanka and South Asia.

Expanding its services, Siddhalepa was the first to introduce Ayurveda Spa services at the SriLankan Airlines Serendib Business class lounge in the year 2000, and have pampered more than 175,000 business class passengers. As the acceptance of Ayurvedic products and services were on the rise in Europe, Siddhalepa established its first Ayurveda Clinic in Germany in 2004. With its success, we opened two more centers in Germany, one in Czech Republic in 2006 and one in Slovakia in 2010. ShangriLa Resorts and Spa, one of the largest hospitality chains in Asia, entered Sri Lanka in 2015 and Siddhalepa became their authentic Ayurveda Service partner giving a new window of opportunity for international clientele.

During the last several years, Sri Lanka has enjoyed continued growth in tourist arrivals and travel trends around the world were changing and there was more focus on Medical tourism. Anarva Hotel and Spa, 100-room star classed hotel, was established in 2017 as the first medical tourism hotel with the partnership of Siddhalepa Hospital.

Being the best Ayurveda Brand in Sri Lanka, Siddhalepa has led the way on its responsibility on conservation of medicinal plants and furthering education on traditional knowledge. A Medicinal Plant project was initiated at schools in 2010 with the intentions of popularizing the knowledge of Ayurvedic herbs, promotion of growing endemic medicinal plants and income generation of rural families. By 2019, we have distributed more than 50,000 endemic and endangered medicinal plants to 600 schools where more than ½ million students are educated on the benefits of Ayurveda and the need for conservation for future generations. In addition, Siddhalepa is the largest grower of medicinal plants in Sri Lanka and for its efforts in increasing the medicinal plant coverage, Siddhalepa has received many local and international awards such as the Presidential Environment Award, as well as Asia Aspire Award.

Long before the phrase “Corporate Social responsibility” was branded, Siddhalepa recognized its responsibility towards the community, initiated a project in 1988 to provide free first aid to 2.5 million people who go on the annual pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak. Similar Health camps are conducted at centuries old Madhu Church, Tewatte Basilicca, Nallur Kovil in Jaffna, Kataragama Temple and Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic providing free treatment for more than 2 million persons annually. In creating a society conscious on cleanliness, Siddhalepa initiated a project to provide garbage bins to religious places over thirty years ago, and have now distributed more than 110,000 bins. Siddhalepa decided to build a new school for girls affected by tsunami in Walahanduwa, Galle in 2006 and now has an enrollment of 2,500 studying from year 1 to Advanced levels. Continuing its CSR activities, a video was created in 2017 to save lives of school children on “How to survive with Dengue Fever” and was shown at 550 schools island-wide to create awareness on do’s and don’ts. There has been a significant impact as student mortality has been reduced by 80%.

To share the wisdom of Sri Lankan Ayurveda, Siddhalepa conducted an International Ayurveda Symposium at Siddhalepa Resort in October 2019 with the participation of several International and local speakers. The event was covered by journalists representing Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Australia, Japan, China, and Middle East. We hope to conduct this symposium annually and will certainly be a boost to Sri Lankan Ayurveda to promote its efficacy throughout the world.

Just to recapitulate, Indigenous Ayurveda – Hela Wedakama has been embedded in Sri Lankan culture for over 6,000 years. For over 200 years it has been Siddhalepa’s duty and joy to be the guardians of Sri Lankan Ayurveda preserving, nurturing and being the advocates and ambassadors of holistic healing for body, mind and spirit… long may Siddhalepa’s legacy continue!

Asoka received an award of recognition “Ayurveda Ratna” for the exceptional service of the highest order for the furtherance of Ayurveda. In addition, and on behalf of his family, Asoka also received an award honour of his ancestral lineage over six generations of Ayurvedic Physicians in Sri Lanka.

The Siddhalepa Clinic, opened its doors to all customers in search of a healthy, holistic lifestyle at Colombo’s newest shopping mall the One Galle Face last week.

The Siddhalepa Clinic the first ever of its kind to be opened in a shopping mall in Sri Lanka, offers an extraordinary ayurveda healing experience to all walk-in consumers.

The unique feature of this new concept is the offer of a free consultation by a qualified ayurveda physician throughout the day. Ayurveda prescription medicine is available in the clinic.

This Clinic also offers all authentic Siddhalepa ayurveda medicine and products portraying the rich heritage of Sri Lankan Ayurveda.

The physician is connected to a panel of 50 other Ayurveda consultants affiliated to Siddhalepa Ayurveda Physicians circle in the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital Mount Lavinia, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort, Wadduwa, Anarva Hotel (Spa) and the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Spa chain.

While the new mall, located in the heart of the city makes ayurveda medical consultations more convenient for walk in customers, patients seeking consultation for more serious chronic or sudden illnesses will be referred by the physician on call to the Ayurveda Hospital in Mount Lavinia.
A special app featuring digital translation is available in the shop to assist foreigners who don’t speak English to overcome the language barrier in seeking free consultations from our physicians.

Positioned in a secluded area on the 6th floor of the sprawling mall, Siddhalepa Clinic also lends an ambience of luxury shopping with an array of value-added gift packs and spa therapy treatment packs on offer combined with authentic Ayurveda medicines and products.

Shoppers are treated to a refreshing ayurveda tea or an elixir, as they browse through the selves of ayurveda products and gift packs at the clinic which connects with the world of international shopping while retaining its centuries old traditional ayurveda culture.

As the country’s pioneer and leading Ayurveda products manufacturer, Ayurveda health-care service provider and promoter of Ayurveda medical tourism, the Hettigoda Group with a heritage of over 200-years, passing on to the 5th generation is playing the key role in shaping the future of Ayurveda industry in Sri Lanka and the Asian region.

Scenes from the opening day

Visitors at the shop

Ayurveda lifestyle products and gift packs

Business World International organization USA, has recognized Dr Victor Hettigoda the chairman of Hettigoda Group for demonstrating business excellence and the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity and civic and social responsibility over the years.

We are proud to say that our Chairman inspired millions of young entrepreneurs and set industry benchmarks for best practices.

Dr Victor Hettigoda has been awarded as one of the top six lifetime achievers of the year, at Business World Conference & Business World Excellence Awards 2018.

Ayurveda practitioners from Europe and the United States in Sri Lanka last week, placed the ancient Sri Lankan form of medicine - ayurveda on an international platform, at the Siddhalepa International Ayurveda Symposium held at the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort Wadduwa, last weekend.

In a groundbreaking forum, delegates and ayurveda practitioners from UK, USA, Germany, France, Austria and Japan presented their research and views on the science, power and effectiveness of this alternate form of medicine, its growing global acceptance and popularity and its holistic approach to a healthy living.

The first of its kind forum, organized by Siddhalepa was graced by President, Maithripala Sirisena, Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister, Rajitha Senaratne who were the guests of honour of the hosts – Siddhalepa Group, led by its Chairman, Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda, D. Litt.

Among the speakers were internationally acclaimed ayurveda practitioners who spoke on a wide range of topics including: "The history and evolution of indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka", by Professor Raj Somadeva, (Professor of Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka), "Ayurveda in UK an Europe, its growth, legality and its Future", by Dr. Shantha Godagama, UK (Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicines, Acupuncturist and Marmapuncturist, Advisor to The British Government and The British Parliament Committee on Ayurveda), "Ayurveda in Switzerland and how should we take Sri Lankan Ayurveda to the World", by Dr. Claudia Harder, Switzerland, (Specialist Doctor in Rheumatology), "The Research and Development of Ayurveda in Germany", by Dr. Marisa Hubner, (Doctor in Clinical Research in Naturopathy at The Research Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite Berlin), "How Sri Lankan Ayurveda can contribute to the new needs of the international wellness tourist", by Dr. Franz Linser, Austria, (CEO of Linser Hospitality, International Consultancy Firm based in Austria, specializing in Health and Wellness industries), "The Initiative and the Contribution by King Ravana to the Indigenous medical System of Sri Lanka", by Dr. Suriya Gunasekara, (Former Addle. Secretary to Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Former Secretary to All Ceylon Buddhist Congress), "The active role of ayurveda in the presence contemporary medicine, (Allopathy)", by Dr. Nozomi Narikawa, Japan, (Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Specialist of JSOG, Specialist of JMWH, Specialist of JAAM), "First and Second Health Market in Germany, Challenges and Opportunities for Ayurveda", by Mr. Micheal Altewicher, Germany, (Managing Partner – Wellness Hotels & Resorts), "The scientific approach to Sri Lankan Ayurveda", by Dr. Vajira Seneviratne, (Head and Senior Scientist Ayurveda Research Institute, Department of Ayurveda).

A key outcome of the forum was a pledge to win over the Foreign Health Insurance companies to include a cover for ayurveda treatment. The acceptance of ayurveda as an alternate form of medicine and its inclusion in all medical insurance covers across the health sector would be considered a comprehensive win for the acceptance of Ayurveda medicine and its emergence as an effective alternate source of medicine.

The forum also discussed key issues related to promoting health tourism and making Sri Lanka a premier world destination for Ayurveda tourism. Among the main focus areas were; understanding and catering to the current and changing demands of health tourists and preparing Sri Lanka’s ayurveda tourism industry to cater to these international standards. The developing and changing trends in ayurveda tourism and why Sri Lanka should focus on promoting ayurveda tourism and its benefits to our nation were also discussed.

Among the other objectives of the forum was to educate the International Community on the Heritage of Sri Lankan “Hela Osu” and “Desheeya Chikithsa”, traced back to the days of King Ravana and highlight the advances in Sri Lanka’s ayurveda medicines and research.

Presenting Sri Lanka’s rich bio-diversity and its medicinal plants to an international audience is a core aspect of this process. The forum also provides the platform to partner with key international institutes for further knowledge sharing and research.

Siddhalepa as the chief organizer and sponsor of the event leads the way as the main torch bearer for the forward march to make Sri Lanka a premier medical tourist destination in the world.

The Company, a leading ayurveda products manufacturer, best known for its flagship brand Siddhalepa, has worked with conviction and dedication to promote ayurveda tourism in Sri Lanka. To achieve this status the company has built its infrastructure from plantations to source its raw material for ayurveda medicines, to an ayurveda resort, ayurveda hospital and ayurveda centres all of which have been set up and operate to international standards with ISO certifications.

Their ayurveda resort hotel, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort Wadduwa won the best hotel and wellness spa brand at the SATA award recently.

International media from Australia, Japan, China, Russia Germany and Thailand were present to cover the two-day event. While the first day concluded with presentations from the international participants, leading up to evening of entertainment, on the second day guests were introduced to the varying aspects Ayurveda. This included a tour of Sidhalepa resort’s herbal garden, an ayurveda cookery demonstration, ayurveda tea and elixir tasting, a factory visit and tour of the R and D centre and an authentic Shanthi Karma presentation presenting a 360 degree experience of the science of ancient Ayurveda to the invitees and guests.

SriLankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Polish Airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau were co-sponsors of the forum which was organized in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism and Health and Indigenous Medicine.

The people behind the Siddhalepa International Ayurveda Symposium.

From left: Managing Director, Siddhalepa Group, Mr. Asoka Hettigoda, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister, Rajitha Senaratne, Chairman, Siddhalepa Group, Deshabandu, Dr. Victor Hettigoda, Presdient Maithipala Sirisena (guest of honour) and Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga.

At the Siddhalepa International Ayurveda Symposium: Guests of Honour, Ministers, Directors and staff of Siddhalepa Group with the foreign and local delegates.

Dr. Claudia Harder, Specialist in Rheumatology from Switzerland, presenting her views on, “Ayurveda in Switzerland and the how should we take Sri Lankan ayurveda to the World.”

Dr. Marisa Hubner, Doctor in Clinical Research in Naturopathy, at The Research Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite Berlin presenting, “The Research and Development of ayurveda in Germany and maximizing benefits of Ayurveda.”

Dr. Nozomi Narikawa from Japan, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Specialist of JSOG, Specialist of JMWH, Specialist of JAAM presents “The active role of Ayurveda in the presence contemporary medicine (Allopathy).

Dr. Franz Linser from Austria, CEO of Linser Hospitality, International Consultancy Firm based in Austria, specializing in Health and Wellness industries speaks on “How Sri Lankan ayurveda can contribute to the new needs of the international wellness tourists.”

Mr. Michael Altewischer from Germany, Managing Partner – Wellness Hotels & Resorts talks on First and Second Health Market in Germany. Challenges and Opportunities for Ayurveda.

Food and Hotel Thailand, the international 5-Star food & hospitality trade event was held from 4th to 7th September 2019 at BITECH Exhibition Centre, Bangkok.

The paradise island in Indian Ocean; Sri Lanka with its lush vegetation and a wide array of tropical fruits and vegetables offers rich raw material base for the food and beverage industry. The renowned tastes and aroma of Ceylon tea, coffee, herbal drinks and fruit juice is now available in a variety of ready to drink forms with no added calories or preservatives. Sustainability, quality and ethical production are the uncompromised values that comes with Sri Lankan beverages finally guaranteeing value for money.

Sri Lanka is among the 550 exhibitors from 40 countries and 11 International Pavilions from China, Denmark, EU, Italy, Japan and Korea at the Food & Hotel Thailand (FHT) 2019. Sri Lanka pavilion was opened by H.E the Ambassador, Mrs. Samantha K. Jayasuriya and Sri Lanka’s participation at the FHT 2019 was sponsored by the Economic Diplomacy Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka which was launched in 2018, in collaboration with key government institutions responsible for promoting trade, investments and tourism to be operationalized through the Sri Lanka Missions overseas.

Siddhalepa Exports (Pvt) Ltd - Herbal Drinks
The Sri Lanka has long history of healing goodness of herbal plants well before tea and coffee were merged into daily diet as the two main hot drinks. Since the historical era, herbal porridge with juggery was the first cup of Sri Lankans which is a rich combination of nutrients. Herbal infusions or tisane is made using wild grown plants with therapeutic benefits, may be from flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. Siddhalepa Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka, the pioneer of best health products has converted the healing value of the traditional herbals into bottled herbal drinks which becoming popular among people in this modern hectic lifestyle.