Instant food from Siddhalepa as it heads for global markets

The Siddhalepa Group which has deep roots to the indigenous system of curative and preventative medicine in Sri Lanka is now in the process of making a paradigm change in strategy and planning to produce and market instant food items such as noodles and porridge mixed with medicinal herbs. In an interview with The Sunday Times FT, Managing Director of the group, Asoka Hettigoda said his company plans to produce its Ayurveda products both here and overseas in a big way. The company is now undergoing a transformation process to suit the needs of the modern world while preserving its origin from Walpola, Imaduwa, a remote village in the Galle District in the deep south of Sri Lanka.

He noted that there has been a growing trend towards natural medicines and the use of dietary supplements for modern healthcare, as people throughout the world are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the possible side-effects, lack of noticeable long-term results and high cost associated with allopathic drugs. Herbal products have provided a more natural and often more effective alternative.

The business has descended from great-grand-father to grand-father, to father and to the son. Dr. Victor Hettigoda, Chairman of the reputed Siddhalepa Group of Companies and his son, Managing Director of the group, Asoka Hettigoda belong to a family of Ayurvedic scholastic reputation extending over a period of 200 years.

Siddhalepa Pharmaceuticals uses the ancient Sri Lankan medicinal science of Ayurveda to make herbal formulations with clinically proven efficacy. The company has an experienced Research and Development Team and it has developed over 50 unique herbal products. The R&D team is conducting experiments to introduce medicinal herb sprays, tablets and capsules using prescriptions in ancient ola leaf books provided to the company by local Ayurvedic Physicians.

Hettigoda said that the company has given priority to R& D during the past few years. With an aim to cater to foreign markets, the company has also started periodic testing of drugs to ensure their quality and to enforce quality control. Taking the art of healing the natural way to the world, Siddhalepa recently launched its operations in Germany. Siddhalepa is a brand that has become a common name in every household for everyday aches and pains. Siddhalepa’s range of herbal and Ayurvedic remedies have time and again proven to be versatile and effective for even the most difficult ailments. Asoka Hettigoda said that his company has already set up Siddhalepa Ayurveda Spas in Vital Centre at Kurpark Bad Hamburg in Germany.

Kurpark is a place with a unique history where not so long ago Kings and Princes’ were regularly seen. He said that they have set up another Ayurvedic centre in Prague as well. With its entry into Germany, Siddhalepa becomes the only Ayurveda company in the world to own and operate treatment centres in multiple countries, in addition to its very own state of the art manufacturing complex, producing preparations according to traditional methods in a modern setting and in doing this Siddhalepa has propelled itself into the heart of Europe. Germany is a central hub and is only a few hours away by plane from a host of metropolitan cities, he said.

Hettigoda disclosed that Siddhalepa is now in India as a corporate entity under the name of Hettigoda Distributors (India) Pvt. Ltd. He added that the idea to penetrate the Indian market and to set up a distribution centre in India as a launching pad to going global was mooted by his father, Dr. Victor Hettigoda. Siddhalepa began operations for the first time in Chennai Spencer plaza shopping complex with the support of Export Development Board.

Having overcome problems relating to the clearance of cargo, high import duties, market impediments and other obstacles, today Hettigoda Distributors India (Pvt) Ltd. has established itself with authority to distribute Siddhalepa products through agents in many parts of India . In addition to Sri Lankan employees, Indians are also employed by Siddhalepa mainly in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu.

The company has been able to establish a market for its quality products in an intensely competitive Indian climate. Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd., manufacturers of Ayurveda balm, toothpastes, soaps, drinks, teas, tonics, oils all in all over 50 Ayurvedic products are exported to countries in the world over.

All Ayurveda products used at the Resort and the Group’s Hospital are exclusively manufactured by Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd., the only establishment to have obtained the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 International Standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) published by the Ministry of Health for Ayurvedic preparations in Sri Lanka, he said.

Hettitigoda noted that his company has diversified its operations in the island by introducing a host of treatments to relieve stress, purify the system, and rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Siddhalepa in addition to its state of the art, ISO approved factory currently operates the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort in Wadduwa, the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital and Anarva day spa in Mt. Lavinia.

It offers travellers relaxation at the Business Class lounge of the Bandaranaike International airport. Siddhalepa Group has invested Rs. 10 million to open an Ayurveda spa in Colombo. Under the company’s diversification initiative it has set up a compost fertilizer production plant, he said. Suraya Compost Fertilizer (Pvt) Ltd manufactures organic fertilizer, devoid of artificial chemicals. This provides natural organic substances and nitrogen to the plants.

The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Australia, having conducted extensive research, awarded its prestigious certificate to Suraya Compost Fertilizer.