Sanchala

Happy wife and proud mommy... ! Owner of @laceandpearlHut ❤️

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

It was a privilege to complete my first field mission with the @IFC_org, a member of the The @WorldBankGroup, from 6–10 July, supporting Alliance Finance Company PLC in strengthening Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) financing in Sri Lanka.

This advisory engagement aims to help AFC identify new opportunities for expanding its agricultural finance portfolio while strengthening its risk management framework for climate smart agriculture. Through this partnership, IFC is supporting AFC to better understand agricultural value chains, financing needs, climate risks, and investment opportunities, ultimately contributing to the design of more resilient, inclusive, and commercially viable agricultural financing solutions.

As part of the mission, we conducted deep dives into the coconut and chili/vegetable value chains, engaging with farmer clusters in Dambadeniya and Inamaluwa, as well as traders, processors, exporters, and leading agri-input and technology providers. These discussions provided valuable insights into production systems, value chain dynamics, market linkages, financing constraints, technology adoption, and opportunities for scaling climate smart agriculture.

The next phase of the engagement will focus on translating these field insights into practical recommendations for AFC, including strengthening agricultural lending processes, developing climate smart financing solutions, identifying strategic partnerships, and enhancing risk assessment models that better reflect the realities of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.

This experience was a valuable reminder that sustainable agricultural finance is built not only on sound financial products, but also on a deep understanding of value chains, trusted partnerships, and the realities faced by farmers and agribusinesses on the ground.

#IFC #WorldBankGroup #AllianceFinance #ClimateSmartAgriculture #AgriculturalFinance #ClimateFinance #ValueChains #Agribusiness #SustainableFinance #SriLanka #FoodSystems #RuralDevelopment #Partnerships

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

ගොවිතැන ව්‍යාපාරයක් දක්වා දියුණු කරන විදිහ | Loku Business

📌සම්පූර්ණ වීඩියෝව නැරඹීම සඳහා පහත Link එක Click කරන්න.

https://t.co/AnhiJWjWmv

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

🎙️ Podcast Feature: Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Agri-Produce Markets – Challenges, Gaps & the Way Forward

#AgriMarkets #ValueChains #SriLankaAgriculture #FoodSystems #PolicyDialogue #MarketReforms #SustainableAgriculture

https://t.co/I6JuZOHw5S

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Proud to have served as a mentor for the #CIRCULAR Design Thinking Workshops 2026, supporting innovators tackling challenges in food traceability, plastic reduction, responsible consumption, and post harvest losses across Sri Lanka.

A big thank you to @EU_Commission, @giz_gmbh, @FAOSriLanka, @expertisefrance, @hatchonline and all partners for creating this platform for circular innovation.

Excited to meet the next generation of changemakers in the CIRCULAR Innovation Incubator under Cohort 2!

📢 Applications close on 5 July 2026. If you’re a startup, SME, student or innovator with a circular economy idea, don’t miss this opportunity.

#CircularEconomy #Innovation #SriLanka #Entrepreneurship #Sustainability #GlobalGateway

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Grateful to @TheMorningLK and Nelie Munasinghe for the opportunity to discuss a topic that matters deeply to Sri Lanka’s economic future, how we fix the missing middle in our agricultural value chains.

Here, we focused on the midstream including aggregation, post-harvest handling, logistics, finance and market linkage where most value and income is lost.

In this interview we explore how market-driven farming models, risk-sharing finance, agro-processing and producer–public–private partnerships (4Ps) can transform agriculture from a low-return survival sector into a competitive, inclusive agri-business economy.

Thank you again to Nelie Munasinghe and The Morning for highlighting this critical conversation.

#SriLankaAgriculture #AgriValueChains #FoodSystems #RuralEconomy #MarketSystems #InclusiveGrowth #Agribusiness

https://t.co/FREXUyWFtA

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Another excellent local dairy product recently introduced to supermarkets 👏
Priced lower than the few Greek yoghurt brands that were previously available, this one delivers a solid 18g of protein which really stands out.

I have personally stopped consuming most regular yoghurts in the market due to high sugar content, excess gelatin, and the use of milk powder to balance milk solids. That’s why it’s refreshing to finally see real Greek yoghurt options emerging as a healthier alternative for those who genuinely care about health and wellness.

Why Greek yoghurt?

• Higher protein helps with muscle recovery and satiety
• Lower sugar and carbs compared to regular yoghurt
• Supports gut health with natural probiotics
• Keeps you fuller for longer and great for active and busy lifestyles

I have tried this product myself which is creamy, rich, and very satisfying. It’s currently available at Glomark supermarkets, and you can pick it up for around LKR 390 during their Saturday 20% off promotion.

Highly recommended 👍

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Glad to contribute to this timely and insightful article by Nelie Munasinghe — “Making a case for investing in climate-resilient agriculture” (@TheMorningLK Business, 21 Dec 2025).

The piece highlights a critical reality for Sri Lanka: climate resilience in agriculture is less about introducing new technologies and more about ensuring last-mile adoption, stronger value-chain integration, and market-linked solutions that genuinely reach farmers. Recent climate shocks have made this imperative, not optional.

Encouraging to see the growing focus on climate-smart irrigation, integrated farming systems, digital tools, and public-private collaboration to stabilise farmer incomes and strengthen long-term food security.

#ClimateResilientAgriculture #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FoodSecurity #AgriValueChains #SriLankaAgriculture

https://t.co/SbyRrQZNt2

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Finally, affordable lactose-free milk in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

Kudos to Jaykay Marketing Services (Keells) for making this available at LKR 590 at Keells supermarkets.

Lactose intolerance is quite common among Sri Lankans, often causing bloating, stomach pain, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea yet many consume regular milk without realizing the cause.

As someone with lactose intolerance, I have largely avoided milk despite being a big dairy fan but this will give me an opportunity to bringing dairy back into my diet, especially for post workout shakes and coffee.

#Dairy #lactoseintolerance #Keells #lka #SriLanka

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Reflecting on my visit to Sapu Masla Taliawid Producers Cooperative (SMTPC) in Sarangani Province, Philippines last month, I was reminded of how strategic rural investments can transform entire communities.

What began as a small cooperative struggling with limited capital has now evolved into a resilient, multi-enterprise organization. Through targeted interventions under the DTI RAPID Growth Project, the cooperative now benefits from:

👉Improved rural infrastructure: Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) have reduced travel time, lowered transport costs, and improved market access, encouraging farmers to expand production and engage more confidently in trading.

👉Post-harvest and value-adding facilities: The all-weather cacao dryer and fermentation facility have significantly enhanced product quality, increasing monthly production from 100 kg to 600 kg and boosting sales by 500%.

👉Stronger market linkages: With anchor firms such as Green Nurture Corporation and Kennemer Foods International (KFI), SMTPC enjoys better pricing, assured market uptake, and technical support, essential drivers of sustainable and inclusive value-chain development.

👉Enterprise development and capacity building: Support through capability trainings, rehabilitation tools, and productive investments has helped the cooperative diversify into cacao, coconut, corn milling, rice trading, and transportation services, broadening its income streams and strengthening overall financial resilience.

This visit reinforced the impact of a market-oriented, community-owned development approach, where infrastructure, enterprise support, and productive partnerships come together to uplift rural livelihoods.

Grateful to the dedicated team behind the DTI 12 RAPID Growth Project, funded by @IFAD, for their steadfast commitment to developing competitive and inclusive agri-value chains in Philippines that truly make a difference on the ground.

#RAPIDGrowth #ValueChainDevelopment #CacaoIndustry #RuralDevelopment #AgricultureTransformation #Philippines #InclusiveGrowth #SmallholderFarmers #DTI #IFAD #CommunityEmpowerment

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

United 🇱🇰

Video credit: Manoj Wickramabahu

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Wrapped up two productive weeks with the @IFAD - DTI RAPID Growth Project 🇵🇭

As we enter the final 18 months of the project, we aligned on accelerating delivery, strengthening value chains, and ensuring sustainability beyond project closure.

The Hub-and-Spoke “big brother–small brother” model continues to show strong potential as a soft 4Ps approach linking mature coops with smaller FOs under anchor firm partnerships.

We also discussed key impact areas: Innovation Fund equity financing, value chain financing pilots, enterprise upgrading, and FO capacity development.

Thanks to IFAD RD Reehana Raza, Country Director Umit Mansiz, and Mags Catindig-Reyes for their excellent leadership and guidance, and to the DTI RAPID team for the warm hospitality.

#IFAD #DTIRAPID #Philippines #ValueChainDevelopment #4Ps #Agribusiness #RuralDevelopment

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

Honored to visit the Regional Coffee Innovation Center & Museum (RCIC) at Davao del Sur State College, a truly inspiring initiative bridging science, heritage, and innovation in Mindanao’s coffee industry.

My visit was part of the ongoing @IFAD DTI RAPID Growth Project Supervision and Implementation Support Mission, where we continue to strengthen linkages between projects and academia to ensure that research and innovation reach smallholder growers on the ground.

Often, academic research remains within the walls of institutions but through this strategic partnership, the project has gone the extra mile to translate technology into practice, empowering farmers to improve quality, enhance cupping scores, and capture better market value.

The RCIC stands as a symbol of what’s possible when development, academia, and local entrepreneurship work together for a more inclusive and sustainable coffee value chain.

#IFAD #RAPIDGrowth #CoffeeInnovation #ValueChainDevelopment #Mindanao #DavaoDelSur #SustainableAgriculture #SmallholderEmpowerment #InclusiveGrowth

[Nilushana Sooriyaarachchi @Nilushana]

It’s been a true pleasure mentoring three incredible iron ladies — Sriya Weeratunga of Saviru Spices & Naturals (Matale), Nayomi Ranaweera of Natural Honey (Matale), and Ruwanthi Warushavithana of Ruwana Products (Galle).

Their passion, resilience, and courage to take their businesses to the next level are truly inspiring. We’re now working together to expand market access through exports and modern trade, strengthen their digital presence, and secure essential certifications and accreditations, paving the way for sustainable growth and enhanced recognition.

Empowered women entrepreneurs like these are driving real change in Sri Lanka’s agri-food sector, one bold step at a time.

These inspiring women are being supported under the ongoing GoviLab AgriTech Accelerator, an initiative funded by the @gatesfoundation and implemented by @hatchonline and Sarvodaya, which continues to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.

#WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AgriFood #ValueChain #Mentorship #Innovation #EmpowerHer #SriLanka #GoviLab #Hatch #GatesFoundation #Sarvodaya

[MBA Alumni Association | UOC @colombo_mba]

🎶 Celebrate the Year-End in Style at Our Paduru Party! 🎶

Join us for an evening full of festive cheer and Sri Lankan culture! 🎤🎶

👉 Register here: https://t.co/JDoSzvSA85

#YearEndCelebration #PaduruParty #MusicNight #GoodTimes

[Wolvi® @KingWolvi]

Guys.. I’m selling my apartment in TriZen, Union Place.

Please retweet and share. Thanks 🤗

https://t.co/14qYOU28PC

[Jamila Husain @Jamz5251]

Police have sought public assistance to locate a 15-year-old girl, Neha Kaumadi Herath from Navinna, Maharagama who has been missing since Jan.7.
Police requests public to inform the Maharagama OIC via 071-8591645 & 011-2850222 or Maharagama Police Station 011-2850700 on any info

[Sanchala @QueenWolvi]

I bet you can hear this bird saying "Seriously lady what the F" 😂😂

[Sanchala @QueenWolvi]

Piazza Spagna ❄️
Pretty bad at taking photos 😅

[Sanchala @QueenWolvi]

Vatican ❄️