CAL Circle

From a family balm to a physician in every home

The Siddhalepa story, told by Asoka Hettigoda, Chairman and Managing Director of the Hettigoda Group.

Some businesses begin with a product. Siddhalepa began with a journey.

The story in four stops
  1. Two centuries back

    A family of physicians

    Hendrick de Silva Hettigoda came from a line of Ayurveda physicians. He travelled to India to learn the trade more deeply.

  2. After his return

    The balm

    He created the balm that became the first commercial Ayurvedic product approved under British rule.

  3. 1971

    A business on the road

    Victor Hettigoda, Hendrick's son, started the business with Rs 2,500. He sold the balm village by village, first by bus and on foot, then from an old Hillman. His aim was a physician in every Sri Lankan home.

  4. Today

    The next generation

    Asoka Hettigoda describes how he came into the business himself and what he has built on that foundation.

Watch the episode

The full conversation with Asoka Hettigoda, with both family stories and his own path into the business.

The Siddhalepa Story, CAL Circle episode preview Watch on YouTube
Read next

Main podcast: CAL Circle playlist on YouTube. Also watch Under the Hood by CAL.

Capital Alliance (CAL) was established in 2000, is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and manages assets of more than US$1.2 billion across Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Explore our full range of investment solutions at calonline.lk.