MA's first export in 1986

In 1986 a young couple, who had spent the last six years running a small backpackers and hotel in then very rural Dambulla, faced a unique problem. Many of their friends and guests from around the world didn’t want to visit Sri Lanka due to the then prevailing situation but wanted to have the tasty Sri Lankan Curries they had eaten in Dambulla.

Many of these past guests didn’t have access to the fresh spices or in some cases any spices that were required to make these dishes.

The answer to this was the young couples start in to the processed food industry with the creation of a range of Sri Lankan speciality curry mixes and curry powders using the fresh spices from farmers in the region.

Based on the principles the founder learnt as a young apprentice in Japan, they dreamed of a business which took care of the needs of its employees, leading to a higher number of life time employees from around the country regardless of other differences that separated people outside.

MA's first drying yard (1986)

These ideals and their strong ethical beliefs laid the foundation for a business which has flourished into a 600 + strong workforce with formalised Fairtrade certification.

30+ years on, MA’s is a leading food manufacturer with facilities in Dambulla, Minuwangoda, Matale & Iyakkachchi with a wide spread direct farmer supply network.

MA’s also has an organic farm in Matale, a head office in Colombo and a stores hub in Kadawatha.

From a humble 5 products, the company has over 350 products servicing local and export retail markets as well as a HORECA/Industrial sectors.

The company focuses on manufacturing high quality products and has put much effort creating strong supply chains with international food safety certification to support all processes and sources.

MA’s continues to increase their organic offerings and their focus on supporting organic production with organic and fairtrade products making up more than 75% of their exports.