: Siddalepa Ayurveda Resort :

During the 3rd quarter of the 19th Century, a distinguished citizen who lived in Pingoda, Imaduwa, Walpola in Galle District was Hettigoda Gamage Don Carolis De Silva. Though his main profession was cultivation, he excelled in Astrology and more skillfully as an Ayurvedic Physician. One of his sons, Hendirick De Silva Hettigoda, studied Ayurveda and Astrology, while the youngest son, the Most Ven., the late Dr.Walpola Rahula, rose to the pinnacle of fame as a World renowned Buddhist Scholar.

Hendirick de Silva Hettigoda, after studying Ayurveda and Astrology from his father, proceeded to India and studied under the Yogis in their Ashrams at the foot-hills of Himalayas for over 15 years. He was fluent in Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and English and was a highly respected Ayurvedic Physician who specialized in the treatment of Kidney ailments, as well as an Astrologer of the highest caliber. In recognition of his expertise in the field of Astrology, he was elected to be the President of the Astrological Society of Sri Lanka - then Ceylon.

Dr.Victor Hettigoda, Chairman, Hettigoda Group of Companies, was born at Kananke, Matara in 1937 to a family of resounding standing, reputation and admiration. Victor was the fifth of a family of nine children. He received his education at Rahula College, Matara. On leaving school, he joined his father as a 'helper student' in pursuit of the ancestral noble profession of Ayurveda Medicine. It took him nearly 12 years to learn the art of Ayurveda Medicine. He spent many late nights burning the mid-night oil, engrossed in the "Ola Leaf" Manuscripts and books on Ayurveda. Victor's untiring efforts and devotion towards Ayurveda won the accolade of his father resulting in the reward of disclosing the secret Formula of "Siddhalepa" Balm - the Wonder Balm. The desire for independence and the anxiety for achievement were in him, but financial resources were a problem to him. However, the initial investment of Rs 2,500/= came to him from the purse of a trusted relative in 1971 to start his venture.

Victor's dynamism had no limitations. He travelled far and wide by bus and reaching every nook and corner of remote villages by foot, in an effort to promote "Siddhalepa" Balm. His wife, a Graduate Teacher, kept the home fires burning and nursed their three children, admist many a sacrifice. Dr.Victor Hettigoda recalls the year he purchased an old Hillman Car, and that was in 1977. Besides the old car, he employed a 17 year old Youth to assist him in his clerical work and other business activities.

Dr.Hettigoda's achievements in the sphere of Ayurveda Medicine is magnificient. In recognition of his colossal contribution to the field of Ayurveda Medicine and his services to the Industrial Community in particular,
Dr.Hettigoda was vested with the prestigious award of "Deshabandu" title by H.E the President of Sri Lanka in May 1990, followed by the "Vishva Prasadani" Award conferred on him by the Hon. Prime Minister in April 1996 for his outstanding contribution and service to the Ayurveda Industry in Sri Lanka. "Mahaveli Ran Diyawara" title was awarded to him in April 1998 by the Association of the United Engineers of the Mahaveli Authority in recognition of the valuable services rendered to the Nation. "Waidya Vidya Ratna Vibushana" honorary title was conferred in December 1998 by the Vidyalankara Pirivena, Kelaniya for his contribution to the Ayurveda Industry and his achievements in getting into the International Market. In August 2000 he was appointed a "Justice of Peace for the Whole Island" by the Hon. Minister of Justice. "Vishvakeerthi Manawa Hithawadi Deshamanya" honorary award was conferred on him by the Sri Jayewardenapura Gunasamaru Padanama in December 2000 in recognition of his services to the society to uplift the national, religious, social, cultural and educational activities, "Sarvodaya National Award" was conferred by the Sarvodaya Trust Fund in December 2000 to honour him for his services to the society. Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, in recognition of the best procedures adopted to enhance the performance in the Industrial sector of Sri Lanka, selected him as a Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 and awarded him Bronze Medals for Western Province, as well as for the Whole Island. The Faculty of Medical Studies - Medicina Alternativa Institute - affiliated to the Open University for Complimentary Medicines, conferred the Fellowship Register of Royal Complimentary Practitioners [F.R.C.P (M.A)] to honour him for his contribution towards the field of Complimentary Medicines in Sri Lanka.

"Shassrabisheka Waidyasuri" Award was conferred by the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare, one out of 100 such Awards conferred on Ayurvedic Physicians who have rendered yeomen services to the Nation.

Samastha Lanka Ayurveda Waidya Sammelanaya (Federation of Sri Lanka Ayurveda Physicians) conferred the Honorary "Ayurveda Vishva Panditha" Title in recognition of his contribution to the field of Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka.

The All Island Society of Justices of Peace awarded him the title "Keerthi Shri´ along with a Gold Medal in commemoration of his dedicated services towards his cultural religious and social services to the society.

The December 1989 Issue of Asia Week named him "Balm King" in recognition of his contribution to the Ayurvedic Industry.

In February 1998, the Lanka Monthly Digest named him as "King of the Masses".

He established the first Sri Lankan Fertilizer Company to manufacture Organic Fertilizer, which received the IFOAM International Organic Certification for his "Suraya" Compost Fertilizer in 1995.

In February 1998 Issue, the Lanka Monthly Digest named him as one of the "50 Greatest Sri Lankans since Independence".

His Company was the first Ayurveda Company to receive the International Standards Certificate for Quality - ISO 9002 in 1994, followed by ISO 9001 Certification in 2001 and ISO 14001 in 2003 in respect of Environmental Management Systems.

Awards won by Siddhalepa