Chance recipe in a local newspaper 25 years ago led to creation of Lucky Yoghurt

Could it be by accident, chance or sheer determination, that has seen the great success story of 'Lucky Yoghurt' fashioned 25 years in the hard way?

According to its Chairman/Managing Director, Lal Kithsiri Gunawardhana, 'Lucky Lanka' was floated in 1991 virtually with no capital but today has grown to be a well-known corporate entity with approximate investment of Rs. 700 million. At the initial stages they were producing around 100 yoghurt cups per day but today churn out 200,000 cups per day.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a function was held last week at the BMICH with Dr Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Special Projects as Chief Guest deputising for President Maithripala Sirisena and it was all about felicitating and appreciating those who have worked tirelessly in the success of 'Lucky Lanka'. Four milk farmers - H.K.D. Upali, J.A. Keethiratne, R.M. Premaratne and E.G. Chandrasiri who have supplied milk for the last 25 years to the company - were felicitated among others. Co-founder Mr. Gunawardhana said it all started after his sister picked up a recipe from a newspaper and prepared yoghurt which she first marketed going in a bicycle, bought a refrigerator on loan and then he too joined the business. A team from the Business Times (BT) travelled all the way from Colombo to reach this remote village 'Bibulawela' through Uyangoda, Karagoda, Kamburupitiya in Matara to profile the story of 'Lucky Yoghurt'. "'It was a chance recipe in a local newspaper that provided the first yoghurt cup for Lucky Lanka Milk Processing Co," the report in the Business Times on 8th January 2012 said.

Lucky Lanka while maintaining its main product yoghurt is now diversifying into ice cream and cheese.

It is also on a major drive to supply fresh milk to the entire country and already distributes in the Colombo area.

On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Gunawardene told the BT that they obtain milk from more than 5,000 farmers for the company's daily output. He said that they are also exporting their products specially yoghurt in special packages to countries like Singapore, the Seychelles and the Maldives.

Some of the export products are manufactured with low fat and low sugar content and taking a cue from these exports, Mr. Gunawardene said that they would also launch a major campaign to market low sugar and low fat products in Sri Lanka.

To mark the Silver Jubilee celebrations, Lucky Lanka donated 25 houses to homeless low income families and offered 25 scholarships for GCE OL and AL students.