G. V. Dharmasena began this legacy in 1965, starting at the very base of the industry as a local cinnamon peeler. Through discipline and mastery, he rose into trading and, by 1980, was directly exporting Ceylon cinnamon to Spain and later to Mexico. Known across the village for his generosity, he often shared "lorries of rice" from his business earnings, living by the principle: "No business should grow without its community."
His journey carried both triumph and hardship. He personally experienced the repercussions of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which collapsed global cinnamon demand overnight. Yet he moved forward without resentment, adopting a spiritual lifestyle and eventually dedicating himself to teaching meditation to thousands, entirely free of charge. His life stands as the foundation of a legacy built on skill, humility, and service.
Second Generation
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, where only one competitor existed at the time. 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, contributing to an annual volume that surpasses one million kilos. He owns over 30 acres of cinnamon plantations and provides year-round employment to more than 30 skilled workers. With over 34 years of experience, he has become one of the most trusted and respected figures in Sri Lanka’s cinnamon sector, known for setting standards in purity, traceability, and industry integrity.
Third Generation
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, where only one competitor existed at the time. 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, contributing to an annual volume that surpasses one million kilos. He owns over 30 acres of cinnamon plantations and provides year-round employment to more than 30 skilled workers. With over 34 years of experience, he has become one of the most trusted and respected figures in Sri Lanka’s cinnamon sector, known for setting standards in purity, traceability, and industry integrity.
Our Milestones
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Kayceylon Cinnamon Export (Pvt) Ltd is a leading Sri Lankan company dedicated to exporting premium Ceylon Cinnamon
