Stories
Business stories from
Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Founders, brands and the events shaping business in the region, reported by Catalist Media and read by more than 200,000 people every week.
Founders
A Sri Lankan food truck is now a 30-outlet brand in five countries
Abdus Salaam and his brothers started Crepe Runner in 2019 with LKR 600,000 and a 4ft by 6ft truck on Marine Drive.
Founders · Sri LankaBemal Gamage started Beverlee Holdings with LKR 60,000. It has now delivered more than 70 projects
From a kitchen in Melbourne to a design-and-build firm working across Sri Lanka and Dubai with a team of more than 50.
Founders · Sri LankaAmeena Ziauddin is taking a 30-year Sri Lankan frozen-food business beyond the island
A second-generation president, a 500-product range, and a ten-year plan pointed at the Middle East and South Asia.
Founders · Sri LankaTwo brothers-in-law built Chocoholics into a four-outlet Belgian chocolate cafe brand
A 40-seat Colombo cafe in 2017. Four outlets, 200+ seats and a first overseas outlet in Saudi Arabia today.
Founders · Sri LankaYohan Rathnayake won Sri Lanka's first Hyrox gold, then opened FHIIT at Orion City
From an eight-year corporate career to one or two clients, to a gold medal and a new gym in Colombo.
Founders · Sri LankaDr Anton James is the first Sri Lankan Fellow of the Psychological Society of Ireland
PSI's highest individual distinction for the psychologist who introduced regulated behaviour therapy to Sri Lanka.
Brands
Cliara took Sri Lankan essential oils and skincare to eight countries
From 12 oil warmers in 2011 to a plant-led skincare brand sold in eight countries, with 90% made in Sri Lanka.
Brands · Sri LankaA Sri Lankan couple grew their own peppers and built a hot sauce brand sold on three continents
Hotzy started in a home-built polytunnel during the economic crisis. Its sauces now sell in Australia, the UK and the UAE.
Events in Focus
Sri Lanka's first blind MP wins a Commonwealth award for inclusive democracy
Sugath Wasantha de Silva received the 2026 New Parliamentarian Award in Cape Town, less than two years after entering Parliament.
Events in Focus · Sri LankaFairway Colombo named official accommodation partner for Manhunt International 2026
Contestants and delegates from more than 40 countries stayed at the Colombo Fort hotel as Sri Lanka hosted the global pageant for the first time.
Events in Focus · Sri LankaThe 28 businesses that won at Sri Lanka's National Business Excellence Awards 2026
People's Bank, CDB and JAT Holdings led the overall awards. The full winners list by sector.
Explainers and lists
Seven founders building Sri Lanka's running culture
Project 42, Lightning, Run For Coffee, Endurance Lab, Jaffna Runners, Colombo City Running and Colombo Night Run.
Lists · Sri LankaThe Colombo cafes that turned food, design and storytelling into brands
Eleven cafe brands, from specialty coffee in Fort to a 24-hour cafe and an anime cafe, and the founders behind them.