Work on Rs. 400 m Ayurvedic healing resort begins next year
by a special correspondent
Work on the Vendol Ayurvedic healing resort, built at a cost of Rs.
400 million, a BOI project will commence next year at Wadduwa. It will
be limited to thirty rooms under the first stage.
According to the Managing Director of Godakanda Herbals (Pvt) Ltd,
Lelwela G. Godakanda there is a big demand for Ayurvedic medicinal
treatment for various ailments in the western world. He expects to run
this resort exclusively for German customers.
"The mere practising of Ayurveda is not the aim of the Vendol
Ayurvedic healing centre. Patients will be cured of their ailments
during their stay in the resort, the MD said." Two senior Ayurvedic
doctors and the staff for the centre have been recruited under the
supervision of Dr. Roy Perera. A training program in Ayurvedic treatment
and mind training is being conducted for them.
The MD said orders have been placed to import raw materials from
India for Ayurvedic medicine. The equipment, machines, beds, equipment
for sauna baths, steam baths and mud pack treatment will be imported
from Italy and Germany.
The thousand-year-old Ayurvedic and Sinhala medicinal treatment must
be genuinely practised. The wealth of Ayurvedic knowledge of India and
Sri Lanka can be used for the well-being of humanity, he said.
Godakanda Herbals (Pvt) Ltd produces Ayurvedic balm, ANGC tablets,
herbal toothpaste and soap. According to the MD the Market demand for
his Aurvedic herbal soap, "Venivel" is very encouraging.
His cherished dream to introduce a herbal Ayurvedic soap, Godakanda
resulted in his first consignment of a minimum quantity of 10 tons of "Venivel"
soap many years ago. At that time he did not have, very expensive
soap-making machines. Although the soap manufacturer's time frame to
sell 10 tons of "Venivel" was at least six months, it was sold within
one month, he said. When it was launched he had used the southern belt
of Sri Lanka for "Venivel" sales.
"Venivel soap" is a product based on Indian and Sri Lankan purity and
beauty culture practices, using herbs such as Venevalgata, turmeric,
margosa and white sandalwood. Godakanda said that "Venivel" soap enjoys
a market share of over 30 percent.
The export market for his herbal products has shown an upward trend.
At present these products are exported to Italy, Germany, UK and the
Middle East countries. Sri Lankans working in the Middle/East and Europe
take Venivel soap, T & G toothpaste and vendol balm with them, he said.
All Godakanda products are produced at the state of the art
manufacturing plant at Kandy Road, Wewaldeniya, 60 kilometres away from
Colombo. This plant is equipped with modern soap and toothpaste making
machines imported from Germany, Italy and India.
The well planned and neatly maintained eight-acre factory premises
gives visitors peace and tranquillity. At present nearly one thousand
people are employed. A well disciplined work-force comprising a large
number of young girls and boys attend to their assigned duties without
any managers, is the significant feature of the Godakanda management
system.
It is expected to set up another Vendol manufacturing plant next
month at Narammala under the 300 factories project of the government.
Godakanda herbal Ltd recently commenced a free mobile medical service
islandwide to serve customers.
Vendol buses are stationed at the main towns in every district for
people to obtain medicine free throughout the day or night. People can
also use these buses for emergency travel. |