Two of Sri Lanka's most recognised Ayurveda brands — Siddhalepa balm and Supirivicky toothpaste — secured top positions in Lanka Monthly Digest magazine's inaugural Sri Lanka's Most Loved Brands 2017 survey. Siddhalepa placed first in the Natural Healthcare category, while Supirivicky earned second place in the toothpaste category. For a heritage group rooted in traditional medicine since 1934, the recognition affirmed what many Sri Lankan households already knew: these products have lasting relevance far beyond a marketing cycle.
What is the LMD Most Loved Brands Survey?
Lanka Monthly Digest is one of Sri Lanka's leading business publications. For more than fourteen years it has partnered with Brand Finance to publish an annual survey measuring brand strength across consumer categories. In 2017 the survey was formally renamed Sri Lanka's Most Loved Brands, reflecting a sharpened focus on emotional connection rather than mere market share.
The methodology is transparent and consistent. Fieldwork was conducted in October and November 2016 using street and mall intercept interviews in Colombo and Gampaha — two districts chosen because they best represent urban, higher-income consumers who are early adopters of branded products. Respondents were selected randomly from male and female participants aged 20–50 in higher socio-economic groups. Crucially, respondents did not need to be current users of a product: the survey measured perceived attributes — quality, reliability, distinctiveness, reputation, and trustworthiness — giving a picture of brand equity rather than mere sales volume.
Why did Siddhalepa rank first in Natural Healthcare?
Siddhalepa balm is the flagship product of the Hettigoda Group, a Sri Lankan company founded in 1934 that today manufactures more than 150 Ayurveda medicines alongside health care, beauty care, skin care, oral care, wellness, and spa products. The balm is popularly described as the "Vedamahathmaya in Every Home" — a Sinhala phrase evoking the village physician — because of the wide range of everyday ailments it addresses.
The ISO and GMP certified formulation is used for:
- Common cold, sneezing, and flu symptoms
- Headaches and breathing discomfort
- Muscle pains, bruises, and lumbago
- Joint aches and rheumatic discomfort
- Toothaches
- Itching from insect bites, and as an insect repellent
That breadth of application, combined with the group's consistent quality standards and long heritage, is precisely what the LMD survey identifies as a driver of enduring brand love: "Consistency in brand performance is achieved through a strong brand management system — other factors are availability of an essential product or a long heritage," the magazine noted in its report.
What makes Supirivicky different from conventional toothpastes?
Supirivicky holds a unique distinction: it was Sri Lanka's first Ayurveda toothpaste, and it brought a natural alternative to a category dominated by synthetic formulations. Its characteristic off-white, natural colour was once considered unusual; today it is seen as a mark of authenticity. The toothpaste is formulated from nine Ayurveda herbs:
- Goraka (Garcinia cambogia)
- Ceylon black pepper
- Aralu (Terminalia chebula)
- Munamal Bark
- Velmi
- Natural Cinnamon oil
- Pilamul
- Natural Clove oil (from Syzygium aromaticum)
- Katukarandu
This combination is designed to offer total protection for gums and teeth through plant-based antimicrobial and astringent properties — an approach that resonates strongly with consumers seeking alternatives to fluoride-heavy commercial pastes.
How did the Hettigoda Group respond to the recognition?
Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda, Chairman of the Siddhalepa Group, acknowledged the survey results as a meaningful signal from the market: "Siddhalepa's constant presence in LMD's brands survey is a proud testimony for our company of the unfailing popularity of this healthcare product, and we are also happy that our oral care product — the first in the market, Supirivicky — has also been recognised as a favourite in this survey."
The statement reflects a broader reality about the brand's strategy. Rather than relying on aggressive advertising cycles, Hettigoda Group has built both Siddhalepa and Supirivicky on long-term product consistency, Ayurvedic credibility, and wide distribution — qualities the LMD methodology specifically rewards.
What does the survey result mean for Sri Lankan Ayurveda brands?
Sri Lanka has a deep and continuous tradition of Ayurvedic medicine, and consumer preference surveys like LMD's provide a rare quantitative lens on how that tradition translates into modern brand loyalty. Siddhalepa's first-place finish in Natural Healthcare — ahead of multinational competitors operating in the same space — demonstrates that heritage and clinical credibility can outperform advertising spend when a brand genuinely delivers on its promise.
For travellers visiting Sri Lanka, Siddhalepa products are widely available at pharmacies, supermarkets, airport duty-free outlets, and Ayurveda spas. Both the balm and Supirivicky toothpaste are commonly purchased as practical, authentically Sri Lankan souvenirs — lightweight, useful, and grounded in a tradition that predates modern wellness trends by centuries.
Where can you buy Siddhalepa and Supirivicky products?
Siddhalepa and Supirivicky products are stocked across Sri Lanka in major supermarket chains, pharmacies, and dedicated Siddhalepa Ayurveda centres. International visitors can also find them at Bandaranaike International Airport duty-free shops. Online, Lakpura offers a curated selection of Hettigoda Group products, including the Supirivicky toothpaste range and Siddhalepa handmade soaps, shipped internationally.
