‘Young entrepreneur’ born from a project written for her degree – Himali Suraweera

Every year, tens of thousands of projects are written by Sri Lankan university students on a wide range of topics. But how many of them gain light in their lives from those projects? And how many do justice to the degree they have earned? Considering how long this accusation has been going around, and how often it’s been heard over the decades, let us turn to the University of Vocational Technology, Ratmalana. Then let us hear the story of a ‘special’ graduate produced by the University of Vocational Technology, which the whole world should aware.

Yes, you should know something, But the most important thing is, who is our heroine?.

If you have traveled the streets of Kandy or visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy recently, you may be familiar with this new fruit that has a sweet taste even when you hear its name. That delicious name is ‘Durianzila’. To be more specific, it is Durianzila Lanka Food Products (PVT) Ltd. Its founder and CEO is our storyteller. Her name is ‘Himaali Suraweera’. Himali lives in Mylapitiya, Kandy.

Himaali Suraweera is a young and dynamic entrepreneur who has already proven her ability to navigate both local and international markets with exceptional skill. As an innovator and a visionary, she has demonstrated the strength and determination needed to conquer the challenges of a competitive business landscape. Her journey with Durianzila Lanka Food Products (PVT) Ltd. is not just about creating a product—it’s about creating a brand that resonates both locally and globally. Himaali’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and success, showcasing her potential to make a significant impact on the food industry. Let’s delve into Himaali’s journey to understand how her passion and drive are helping to shape the future of Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial landscape and how her efforts deserve the attention and recognition of authorities and industry leaders alike!

Himaali Suraweera is a young and dynamic entrepreneur who has already proven her ability to navigate both local and international markets with exceptional skill. As an innovator and a visionary, she has demonstrated the strength and determination needed to conquer the challenges of a competitive business landscape. Her journey with Durianzila Lanka Food Products (PVT) Ltd.

Himaali Suraweera

“While studying for my degree at the Ratmalana University of Vocational Technology, we needed to come up with a new food concept. So, I researched durian. First, I was going to make a milk powder. Since those products were already available in the market, I made a jam from the gum in the durian seeds. Then one of our seniors said that durian is an expensive fruit. So, if you want to make a product from the seeds, you will have to spend more time. You should try making products from other parts of the durian fruit. Then, I applied the concept of Zero Waste (Micro Raw Materials Management) and created a product line from everything in the durian fruit.”

While sharing the story of her victory, Himaali Suraweera takes us on a journey back in time, recalling the moments that shaped her path to success.

“Actually, I used to hate eating durian. But one day, when I started eating durian, I started eating it more than anyone else. I always had the thought in my head that ‘it’s a shame that people don’t eat such a good thing’. So, when I got the opportunity, I came up with a concept for a product that allows even those who don’t typically enjoy durian to experience its unique flavor in a more accessible way. That journey marked the beginning of everything and has ultimately brought me to where I am today,” Himali said, delving into the past.

I have another piece of information that’s relevant to this story that should not be forgotten. Himali is a diploma holder in Food Technology from the Kandy College of Technology. She said that, this knowledge and training gave her further strength.

The Easter Sunday attacks, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic that lasted for about two years, turned the world upside down. The Covid pandemic brought immense destruction, especially to the business world, and small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. But like seeing a ‘silver lining in every cloud’, the Covid pandemic brought a new purpose to the life of Himali, who was stuck at home.

This is Himali’s reflection today, remembering that past.

“During the Corona period, we found ourselves stuck at home. That was when I realized I needed to do something with the knowledge I had gained from my research on durian. We began making durian products at home and shared them on Facebook. To our surprise, demand started increasing. Additionally, my sister, who worked at Kandy Hospital, helped us gain traction there, increasing the demand for our products even further. As we gradually expanded our production, RDB Bank came forward with a loan to support our efforts. With that funding, we set up production in a small space in Mylapitiya. However, since it was a village, setting up a cafe wasn’t feasible. Then, we were invited to an exhibition at KCC, where our durian products gained widespread recognition, not just in Kandy but across the entire country.

Our journey didn’t stop there. We joined a radio program, which led to us receiving another loan, this time from BOC Bank. Eventually, we relocated to Kandy. At that point, we didn’t have the proper equipment to make durian ice cream, so I went to the technical college for guidance. Around that time, a gentleman named Professor Jayantha, who had been living abroad, returned to Sri Lanka and brought me an ice cream machine. Adding to our good fortune, a kind lady whom I had never met called me and generously offered to donate five hundred thousand rupees to support the work I was doing as a woman entrepreneur. With the equipment and funds I received, including additional support from my brother, I was able to open the durian cafe that I’m now running.

Looking ahead, we’re planning to move our production and restaurant to a location near the Dalada Maligawa, as we’ve found that foreign visitors love durian-based dishes. Additionally, we’re in the process of opening a new restaurant in Colombo, which we hope to launch before the season.

Reflecting on the challenging journey of the past few years, I’m filled with gratitude for the banks and individuals who have supported us along the way. As I look ahead, I’m excited for the future of our durian business. Despite the popularity of durian as a fruit, there are still those who dislike it, just like Himali did some time ago. It is important for both durian lovers and those who dislike durian to know Himali’s opinion on this.

 “Durian is a very popular fruit among a certain group of people, but many people don’t like its bitter smell. I had that idea for a while too. But I wanted to create products that would allow everyone to enjoy durian. To share that amazing taste of durian with everyone. Above all, creating a product based on the concept of zero waste was another dream of mine. Although the durian fruit is large, the edible part is relatively small. I wanted to create products that could utilize the rest parts of the durian as well, and so far, it has been very successful. But it’s funny. Because I never thought that my project would lead me to start this business and do what I do today,” Himali said with a smile.”

Himali’s DurianZilla is indeed a successful business. In the short time that has passed, Himali’s DurianZilla has been an award-winning business with recognitions from Profood Propack, the National Youth Service Council’s Startup Sri Lanka 2021, and (Food Tech-Thon 2021) the Food Science and Technology Association of the University of Peradeniya.

Himali’s DurianZilla is indeed a successful business. In the short time that has passed, Himali’s DurianZilla has been an award-winning business with recognitions from Profood Propack, the National Youth Service Council’s Startup Sri Lanka 2021, and (Food Tech-Thon 2021) the Food Science and Technology Association of the University of Peradeniya.

Himaali also took a moment to express her deep gratitude to her customers. “Although the idea for this project and its development came from me, I’ve been fortunate to have the support of so many along the way,” she shared. “My friends played a huge role, with one of them even helping to create the logo you see today. My brother, who truly believed in my vision, invested his hard-earned money into this business, alongside the loans we received from RDB and BOC. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of everyone who has been part of this journey” she added.

“People who heard about DurianZilla on social media, who I had never seen before in my life, and people like Professor Jayantha, a lecturer at the University of Peradeniya who now lives in the UK, all helped bring Durianzila to where it is today.”

When Durianzila’s ice cream arrives in Colombo, I’ll definitely be the first in line. Rich in nutritional value, Durianzila’s durian ice cream is not only delicious but perfectly balanced, offering the unique flavor of durian without being overwhelming. It’s the ideal blend, and I can’t wait to experience its delightful taste again. In the meantime, if you’re visiting Kandy, Durianzila is a place you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Zila Lanka Food Products (PVT) Ltd,
Himali SuraweeraFounder and CEODurianzilaZila Lanka Food Products(PVT)LTD

https://www.durianzila.lkemail:info@durianzila.lkContact:0774442466

This article was given by HARTI / DevPro Women Entrepreneurs Development Project