G. V. Ananda Pushpa Kumara inherited his father’s grit and entered the field at just 15–18 years old, peeling cinnamon in his own land. By 18, he was travelling across regions such as Pitikala and Palawatta to collect cinnamon from farmers, building relationships that would later define his reputation.

In 1997, he opened the first cinnamon collection centre in the heart of Kurundugaha Hathakanda. As demand grew, he moved operations to his home in 2004, creating a larger, more efficient space. He was also among the very first in the industry to adopt electronic weighing scales, reinforcing the transparency and fair trade practices that farmers still recognise him for today.

From struggling to gather even 50 kg per day in the early years, Mr. Kumara now purchases 5,000–7,000 kg of fresh cinnamon daily, exceeding one million kilos annually. He owns over 30 acres of plantations and employs more than 30 skilled workers. With over 34 years of experience, he is a respected figure in Sri Lanka’s cinnamon sector.