Saaraketha - Transforming Lives and Landscapes

Slow Food Night – August 2009

saaraketha — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:24:37 +0000

“Slow Food” is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

To do that, Slow Food brings together pleasure and responsibility, and makes them inseparable. Today, there are over 100,000 members in 132 countries.

The Sri Lankan Slow Food movement was started in June of 2009 with Chef Leo, Ramya Jeerasinghe, Prasanna Hettiarachchi and Charitha Abeyratne of Saaraketha getting together to register the “Slow Food Colombo” convivium.

Since the inception Slow Food Colombo along with the Mount Lavinia Hotel has been actively promoting this concept among Sri Lankan consumers. The Slow Food movement recognizes the strong connections between the plant and the plate, thereby giving a strong focus on the farmer.

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

We consider ourselves co-producers, not consumers, because by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, we become a part of and a partner in the production process.

The first Slow Food Night event was held on the 18th of July at the Mount Lavinia Beach Hut which showcased different “Tastes of the Indian Ocean”. This allowed the guests to enjoy a variety of exquisit seafood cuisines prepared by Chef Leo and Chef Lee.

The second Slow Food Night was held on the 28th of August 2009, which was themed the “Cuban Family Style Dinner”, which was beautifully prepared by the Chefs of Mount Lavinia Hotel head by Chef Leo. Sparkling wines and scrumptious dishes along with Cuban music and dancing, made the evening a memorable and enjoyable one.

: Cuban Style Family Dinner – Slow Food Night

The a low charmingly decorated table was layed out at the Mount Lavinia Paradise Beach Hut overlooking the sea.

Saaraketha, a part sponsor of this event, provided the guests with a complimentry gift bag of Organic Spices that come from rural farms of Sri Lanka.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

saaraketha — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:26:33 +0000

Dwight, Tim and Will at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

US Team in Colombo

saaraketha — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:11:51 +0000

First meeting with the US Team was held on the 24th of June at the Control Union Certifications office where they were given a detailed presentation on the progress of Saaraketha and its next phase.

First Saaraketha Meeting with Dwight, Tim and Will

Lunch at Muse with the US Team, Saaraketha Team, Sanjaya Pathirage (Managing Director – Control Union Certifications) and Roshan Ranawake (Inspector – Organic Certifications)

Lunch at Muse

Construction of the Agri Business Entrepreneurship Center – July 2009

saaraketha — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:51:27 +0000

Construction of the Agri Business Entrepreneurship Center is to be completed by October 2009. This would be the hub of knowledge dissemination to the rural community of Wilgamuwa.

Construction of the Agri Business Entrepreneurship Center will be completed by October 2009 - CEO of Saaraketha Prasanna Hettiarachchi with Dr. Dwight Allen

Featured EC – Nilusha

saaraketha — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:55:11 +0000

Nilusha born to a farming family in Wilgamuwa, is a vibrant, creative and outgoing girl with an aspiration to become a fashion designer.

Her creativity is showcased through the beautiful paintings displayed below.

Sri Lankan Rural Women

A Rural Home

To purchase her paintings you can email – charitha@saaraketha.com

Proposed Agri Business Entrepreneurship Center

saaraketha — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:19:45 +0000

Proposed Agri Business Entrepreneurship Centre

Catalyzing Entrepreneurship in Rural Communities

saaraketha — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:34:59 +0000

Nilusha Gunaratne

Nilusha - Saaraketha EC

Nilusha is one of Saaraketha’s most prominent catalysts. Outgoing, talkative and ready to take up challenges, Nilusha shows immence potential.

She is currently a member of the Saaraketha Operations team that looks at the entire operational aspect of the plantation.

Nilusha has completed her Advanced Level studies majoring in Arts. Her hobbies are painting and sculpting and she aspires to become a fashion designer in the future.

Rameash Madushanka

Ramesh - Saaraketha EC

Ramesh, the blue eyed boy in the group; loved by all due to his fun loving nature is an enthusiastic and outgoing addition to the team.

Rameash is responsible for the ongoing operations of Saaraketha’s farm with his key focuses being Logistics and Supply Chain Management and the development of relationships in the local community. Rameash is particularly valuable to our operations as he leverages insight and critical thinking skills in his day-to-day work.

He aspires to become a civil engineer and will be following a Civil Engineering training program to gain more knowledge to pursue his dream.