Category: Blog

  • Plant-based entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka:Dinali Dandeniya and Anushka Kahawela share their experiences

    Plant-based entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka:Dinali Dandeniya and Anushka Kahawela share their experiences

    On 21 June 2022, SLYCAN Trust conducted an online webinar with speakers from the food systems cohort of the EthicalX Accelerator Programme. The speakers were Dinali Dandeniya – the Co-founder of Cafe Kumbuk and Founder of Mama D’s vegan artisanal range – and Anushka Kahawela, from Veganly Life. ‍ SLYCAN Trust’s EthicalX team conducted this…

  • ‘What makes any business ethical is your mindset’:A chat with Dinali Dandeniya

    ‘What makes any business ethical is your mindset’:A chat with Dinali Dandeniya

    Sustainability takes many forms and people can find different aspects of sustainability that work for them, says Dinali Dandeniya, Co-founder of Mama D’s and Cafe Kumbuk, emphasising, however, that what makes any business ethical is one’s mindset. ‍ “I think it’s our inner voices; the will to do things the right way. With everything we…

  • ‘Addressing the gap for core plant-based food’:A chat with Anushka Kahawela

    ‘Addressing the gap for core plant-based food’:A chat with Anushka Kahawela

    The Veganly life venture was born out of love and empathy towards animals and later turned into inspiration for the climate and the planet, said Anushka Kahawela, in an interview with the SLYCAN team. ‍ The home-based family-run business serves up vegan food items including cakes, bakes, and savouries and the core of the brand…

  • ‘The world is moving towards sustainability’:A chat with Rajitha Ariyaratne

    ‘The world is moving towards sustainability’:A chat with Rajitha Ariyaratne

    Promoting Sri Lanka’s plant-based culture and history can provide a good opportunity to move into the world market, asserted Rajitha Ariyaratne, Co-founder of AAYU Goodness Products, in an interview with the SLYCAN team. AAYU provides 100% natural, healthy, and pure processed food in partnership with rural farming communities in Sri Lanka. Emphasising that the world…

  • ‘Right now is a breeding ground for new ideas’:A chat with Ronali Perera

    ‘Right now is a breeding ground for new ideas’:A chat with Ronali Perera

    Despite the ongoing economic crisis, there’s no time like the present to put on one’s thinking cap and come up with new business ideas, says Ronali Perera, Founder of Refreshing Ayurvedic Wellness, or RAW Sri Lanka. “There are a lot of problems that need to be solved right now and a good business is born out…

  • EthicalX Food Systems Cell kicks off in Colombo 

    EthicalX Food Systems Cell kicks off in Colombo 

    The EthicalX Accelerator and Incubator programme, held under the aegis of SLYCAN Trust, conducted the first meeting of the EthicalX Food Systems Cell on 18 May at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.The inaugural meeting discussed the potential for scaling-up climate-friendly, ethical, and sustainable practices in food systems, including options such as plant-based food production and consumption…

  • Independent Dialogue on Participatory and Inclusive Climate Risk Management for Resilient and Climate Friendly Food Systems

    Independent Dialogue on Participatory and Inclusive Climate Risk Management for Resilient and Climate Friendly Food Systems

    Food systems around the globe are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which are set to become more frequent and intense over the coming decades. Crop cultivation, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as related sectors such as forestry are heavily affected by changes in weather patterns, extreme weather events, and slow-onset processes such…

  • How safe is our food? – World Food Safety Day 2021

    How safe is our food? – World Food Safety Day 2021

    According to WHO, one in ten people falls ill every year from eating contaminated food, and 420 000 resulting in 420 000 deaths each year. Approximately 125 000 children die from food poisoning, the most vulnerable being under the age of 5. Lower-income families and those with preexisting medical conditions are vulnerable to food contamination…

  • Nature-based farming solutions – Paddy cultivation 

    Nature-based farming solutions – Paddy cultivation 

    There is no doubt that in today’s context, the uncontrolled use of agrochemicals is endangering the health of Earth’s soil, water, flora, fauna, air as well as human life. The droplets of these agrochemicals are increasing within the atmosphere causing damage to the respiratory system of all ecosystems. This could be a proximate cause for…

  • Plant based food and nutrition

    Plant based food and nutrition

    Article based on the special “Vegan Day” online conversation between nutritionist and dietitian Ms Lasika Jayamaha and Ms Suramya Hettiarachchi of the Meatless Monday team. “Meatless Monday” is a worldwide project aimed at reducing meat consumption. One of the objectives of this project is to raise awareness about the benefits to the environment, health and…