Link scores for Lanka

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Link Samahan the flag ship product of the range of Link Natural Products for common cold and related symptoms won the prestigious Presidential Export Awards 2005 denoting a significant milestone towards its vision to become the global leader for natural healthcare products.

This award was presented for outstanding performance in herbal healthcare and personal care products at the ceremony held at the President's House recently.

"We all are proud about it without any doubt but it was, earned through sheer dedication and commitment of our dynamic team,' Chairman Link Natural Products Dr. Devapriya Nugawela said.

Link Samahan one of the Super brands 2007 in Sri Lanka is exported to 32 countries around the world

 including India, Malaysia, Canada and the US and gaining popularity in many other countries.

It is also the nation's best selling herbal remedy for cold among herbal cold-care products , with a pre-eminent position in the mass market in Sri Lanka. The latest launch for Samahan took place in New Delhi few months ago. Other recent developments include the introduction of Lime and Lemon flavoured Link Samahan to cater to the tastes of a range of customers.

This is not affecting the therapeutic effects of the product. A low calorie version also has been introduced to diet conscious customers Dr. Devapriya said. At a time the country is at crossroads the contribution of this company towards the economy of the country by way of earning foreign exchange is enormous.

Creating employment while maintaining the Sri Lankan identity and preserving its traditional talents and resources is commendable.

The fragrance of Ayurvedic medicine and herbal plants coming from the factory with latest technology and large garden full of herbal plants gives the evidence for good agricultural practices as well as good manufacturing practices to any body entering the premises.

The well trained and well looked after work force nearly 500 engaging in the manufacturing the whole product range under close supervision and guidance of the research staff in the fully fledged laboratory.

From the point of receiving raw material, sorting, cleaning and storing are done methodically and the records

 are maintained like a personal file of an employee until the expiry date of the particular product lapses.

The environmental friendly methods of clearing garbage and waste water take the maximum use for the factory without any form of smelling.

The company has been awarded the National Science and Technology Award for its development of standardised quality herbal healthcare product. The ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management HACCP certification for safety and ISO 14000:2004 certificate for environmental management is evident for high standards of the products.

The University of Georgia in USA also has tested and certified Samahan as 100 per cent natural recently. One of the US buyers Natural Living International, LLC has mentioned that Samahan has captured the emerging US market in such a away that they have decided to carry it as part of their product line placing full confidence.

Recollecting the simple beginnings of the company in 1995, Dr. Nugawela said that the company in consultation with a group of renowned Ayurvedic practitioners selected a recipe of 14 medicinal plants and their first task was to make sure that authentic herbal raw material of good quality were available.

Specifications for raw materials were developed so their procurement ensured minimum variability.

"We also took measures to cultivate most of the necessary plants under controlled conditions. Plantlets and seeds were also supplied to out growers with a guarantee of purchase. They were trained in modern methods of cultivation harvesting and post harvest techniques.

The product quality controlled and made into a uniform dosage was an immediate success as it filled the need for an effective easy to use product, it became the market leader Dr. Nugawela said about his success story.

He appreciated the support of the Export Development Board officials at the beginning of the Company to come a long way. But regretted about certain barriers such as not recognising the value added industry non-tariff facilities, and high bank interests, high electricity cost.

"We are a 100 per cent foreign exchange earner. If we are given the facilities similar to BOI companies the country will benefit and the company also will grow quicker, he said.