The Spice Council was formed in 2003 as a result of a recommendation made by the Task Force for Spices and Allied Products appointed by the Ministry of Enterprise Development and International Trade and the Spice Cluster Strategy Report of the Spice Cluster. It was modeled on the very successful Spice Board of India. This was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industries & Enterprise Development and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project – “The Competitiveness Initiative” (TCI). The Spice Cluster consisted of all diverse stakeholders in the public, private and NGO sectors, all of whom were brought to same table to discuss the crosscutting issues of the diverse spice sector that was working in separate compartments without any links.

Task Force for Spices and Allied Products and the Spice Cluster Strategy Report of the Spice Cluster identified the clear need for a strategic plan to uplift this sector from prevailing dismal state. The development of this plan and its successful implementation can only be achieved by an independent governing, body controlled by stakeholders, and responsibilities of this body and such a body would be able to effectively address the problems affecting the growth and development of this sector.

Thus, The Spice Council was born as a collaboration of private and public sector stakeholders in the Spice Industry on 22nd of January 2004 by the then Minister of Agriculture Hon. S.B. Dissanayake and Hon. Prof. G. L. Peiris and Director of USAID, Washington.

The Spice Council has since developed and works towards increasing the competitiveness of the industry with the participation of all the stakeholders.  The Spice Council serves as the central forum for consensus building among Producers, Exporters, Processors, Dealers and others involved in Spices and Allied Products, to promote high standards of business conduct and to ensure the ability of all Sri Lankan Spices and Allied Products Industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the Spices and Allied products markets at home and abroad.

Chairman
Mr. Viraj De Silva
Managing Director – SDS Spices (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: viraj@sdsspices.com

First Vice-Chairman
Mr Arithra Silva
Managing Director – International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: arithra@silvermillgroup.com

Second Vice-Chairman 
Mr. Vijayantha Ariyaratne
Contact: vijyari@gmail.com

Treasurer
Mr. T. P.L. Raj
Managing Director – Erin International (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: raj@erininternational.lk

Secretary
Mr. Anushka Vidaranapathirana
Bespice (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: anushkavp@gmail.com

Government Representatives

• Director General or Representative – Department of Export Agriculture
• Chairman or Representative – Export Development Board
• Director General or Representative – Department of Agriculture
• Secretary – Ministry of Agriculture

Exporter Representative

• Mr Viraj De Silva (SDS Spices Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Vernon Abeyratne (Orient Trading Company Pvt Ltd)
• Mr. Nanda Kohona(Samagi Exports Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Chamila Perera (EOAS Organics Pvt Ltd)
• Mr T P L Raj (Erin International Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Anushka Vidanapathirane (Bespice (Pvt) Ltd)
• Mr Arithra Silva (International Commodities Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Mohamed Ali (Colombo Export & Import Agencies Pvt Ltd)

Producer Representative

• Mr Gehan De Silva (HDDES Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Mikhail Pathikirikorale (Lanka Spices Pvt Ltd)

Processor Representative

• Dr Janaka Wickeramasinghe (Tropical Island Commodities Pvt Ltd)
• Mrs. Harini Mallikarachchi (Uruwela Estate)

Service Representative

• Mr Damitha Perera (Forbes and Walker)
• Mr. Rally Bathalameusz (Trans Continental Packaging Pvt Ltd)

Industry Experts

• Mr K R Dayananda
• Mr Aruna Weerakoon (Agroculture Trends Pvt Ltd)
• Mr Vijayantha Ariyaratne

Academic Representative

• Prof. Ilmi G. N. Hewajulige (Director General, Industrial Technology Institute)