The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC the pioneer herbal – personal care products manufacturer once again illuminated the Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya. The “Aloka Pooja” was carried out under the theme, “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya”, during the annual Esala festival.
Ms. Amari Wijewardene, Chairperson of Swadeshi said that as a Sri Lankan owned company, we consider it a duty to safeguard the culture and traditional heritage of Sri Lanka by supporting activities such as this annual Aloka Poojawa.
She explained that Swadeshi illuminates places of worship in the country for the benefit of all worshippers and also to educate the younger generation on the importance of safeguarding the country’s heritage.
The illumination was followed by a colourful cultural pageant “The Perahera” which highlighted the southern Sri Lankan traditions and history.
The original Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, which was destroyed by the Portuguese was built by King Dhapulusen in 661 AD. According to Buddhist literature, the Buddha before he passed away had asked the God ‘Shakra’ to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka. God ‘Shakra’ had entrusted this duty to the God ‘Uthpalawarna’- meaning “colour blue” resembling the colour of God ‘Vishnu’, hence the Devundara Devalaya is known as the Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Deva Mandiraya.
In 2013 the ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’ of historic Dambadeni Raja Maha Viharaya, where the sacred tooth relic was kept and the ancient murals were renovated by Swadeshi Chairperson Ms. Amari Wijewardene to bring back its past glory. Ms. Amari Wijewardene is the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni, who initiated renovations of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya in 1927.
Swadeshi also supports the Aloka Poojas of Kataragama Kiriwehera, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, Sabaragamu Maha Saman Devalaya, Redigama Ridi Viharaya, Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya and Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya.
The pioneer and market leader in the herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, was incorporated in 1941. Among the pioneer brands of Swadeshi are Khomba Herbal, Khomba Deo Fresh, Khomba Baby, Rani Sandalwood, Rani Rose, Safeplus, Apsara, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Black Eagle (Perfume & After Shave), Swadeshi shower gel range and the one and only kids range “Little Princess”. The company also manufactures and markets the top herbal soap brand Khomba Herbal and heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.