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.
Vision
Sri Lanka to be within the top five branded and value added spices and allied products marketers in the world.
Mission
The Mission of The Spice Council is to facilitate and implement competitive strategies to achieve the industry Vision, while acting as the apex body to meet the aspirations of stakeholders by unifying their efforts. The Spice Council targets to promote the global market position of the Sri Lankan Spice Industry, thereby contributing to the national economic growth.
Office Bearers
Chairman
Mr. D. A. Perera
Managing Director – EOAS Organics (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: eoasorg@gmail.com
Emeritus Chairman
Mr. Sarada De Silva
Contact: saradads@sltnet.lk
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
DTriangle (Pvt) Ltd
Contact: anushkavp@gmail.com
Executive Committee
Government Representatives
Director General, Department of Export Agriculture or his Nominee
Chairman, Export Development Board or his Nominee
Director General, Department of Agriculture or his Nominee
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture or his Nominee
Exporter Representative
Mr. Sanath de Silva -SDS Spices (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Nanda Kohona – International Commodity Exports (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Vernon Abeyratne – Orient Trading (Pvt)Ltd
Producer Representative
Mr. N. M. Wickremasinghe -Tropical Island Commodities (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Wijith Jayathilake – Dassanayaka Walauwa Plantation
Processor Representative
Mr. Ananda Kularatne – Citro Essential Oils Pvt Ltd
Mr. Gihan De Silva -HDDES Extracts (Pvt) Ltd
Service Representative
Mr. Dilruk Ranasinghe – General Manager, SLECIC
Mr Damitha Perera – Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers
Ms Ruvini Ranasinghe – SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
Ms Melani – Trans Continental Packaging & Commodities (Pvt) Ltd
Industry Experts
Mrs Devi Devanayagam – Devi Trading
Mr. K. R. Dayananda
Mr. Dhammika Gunasekara -Tropical Life (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Aruna Weerakoon – Agriculture Trends (Pvt) Ltd
Mr. Janalal Rodrigo
Prof. Jayasiri Lankage
Mr Mikhail Pathikirikorale – Lanka Spice (Pvt) Ltd
Academic Representative
Prof. Radhika Samarasekera (Director General, Industrial Technology Institute)
Invitees
Director General, Scientific Standards – Sri Lanka Standards Institution or her nominee
Director General, Department of Commerce or his nominee