Ishara Weeraratna creates LuxeColombo | Daily News
From ZERO to HERO during the Pandemic

Ishara Weeraratna creates LuxeColombo

Ishara Weeraratna,  Founder of LuxeColombo
Ishara Weeraratna, Founder of LuxeColombo

A family business of supplying luxury foods to hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in operation for over 10 years based in Colombo after losing majority of its sales nearly crashing the self-made business to the ground due to the pandemic has made a turn around.

This downturn gave birth to LuxeColombo; the brainchild of Ishara Weeraratna who changed their business model to cater to direct customers through their e-commerce site sharing a different story of absolute conviction and generosity brought together by sheer grit.

Continuous lockdown weakened the little hope Ishara had that his company would survive the effects of the pandemic due to zero sales and a pile of stocks worth millions close to expiry in hand. However, his timely decision to launch LuxeColombo by reaching direct customers and switching to digital allowed Ishara to sustain his business during the pandemic, while keeping his staff and clientele happy and fulfilled despite the chaos.

Whilst any businessman’s initial thought is to manage one’s overheads and stay afloat during a time of crisis, Ishara begged to differ.

The uncertainty of business, the torment it bred, and the affect it had on its employees deeply moved Ishara who was determined to take the lead and extend a helping hand to the neediest during the hour. This was when he launched the ‘Buy once, feed twice’ community support programme which utilizes profits generated through the business to support needy families with a bundle of well-thought rations that would suffice for 3-4 weeks every month.

“I recall the many times during that period if I thought I’ll ever make it, and that’s when I mustered the energy to emerge above this situation, and the pandemic allowed me to stay true to my heart and extend my support to the needy during these trying times. I hope to continue this work in the years to come’’ said Ishara.

Although charity has always been on the mind of this entrepreneur, the pandemic provided the right ground to kick-start his endeavors. Ishara and his venture – Luxe Colombo hopes to provide rations to at least 100 families by the end of the year, and he welcomes individuals to patronize his business in a midst to support local communities.

Although Herculean in its capacity, Ishara feels his target of 100 families is closer than it appears thanks to an increasing number of customers who have been with him since the beginning of the programme.