About Us
A Legacy of Excellence Since 1942
The story of Cinnamon Legends travels back to the time of Garumuni Peter De Silva, father of Nihal De Silva and father-in- law of Upuli De Silva who began an interest in cinnamon. Due to his strengths and confidence, G.P. De Silva pursued sourcing, buying and selling cinnamon in the local and international markets. Having continued since 1942, the company was able to position its stature as the world’s leading Ceylon cinnamon exporter.
Cinnamon Legends is the result of the inspiration, motivation and harmony of Nihal and Upuli’s efforts. While Nihal made the necessary standards for improvements to initiate ISO 9001 -2008 and ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP Organic EU. USDA and JAS. inspired by progressive ideas, it was late Upuli De Silva (2005 – 2020) who inspired Cinnamon Legends to create a line of value added products that has become a gift to the world as well as enhancing the company’s value, esteem and position in the international market. Upuli’s previous experience in her parents’ export textile trade for the US market sparked her thirst for innovation. Observing from a side, Upuli realized that exporting the spice entirely in bulk form was a waste when the spice could shape shift into a thousand attractive possibilities. With her resourcefulness, she went ahead to craft an extensive range of exclusive, cinnamon-infused luxuries: personal care products, beverages, cocktail infusions, spice kissed chocolates and corporate gifts.
Cinnamon Legends embodies constant innovation throughout the years which has played a pivotal role in continuous product development from the base product of raw cinnamon to create a luxurious range of products. There is great commitment and dedication behind this creativity.Now we have risen as a company engaged in certified organic farming, processing and packaging under the certification of ISO 9001-2015 and ISO 22000, HACCP, GMPOrganic USDA, EU and JAS.Staying true to our innovative and enterprising vision, exporting our value added products to 10 countries worldwide within approximately two years, we have created a great blessing to our motherland with the creation of new jobs.
Through our unified innovative efforts, we want to gift to the world the luxurious art of living with the power of our pure Ceylon cinnamon. With the strength, pride and joy of our infused visions, we are ambitious to see Cinnamon Legends become a well-known brand in the world.
Our Vision & Mission
Vision
We aspire to be the world number one organization that provides the best quality Ceylon Cinnamon value added products with its pristine purity which is nature’s gift to Ceylon Cinnamon.
Mission
Cinnamon Legends is committed to be the most admired and caring provider of value added Cinnamon products that add vitality, enjoyment and health benefits to the day to day life of people around the world.
Our Objectives
By means of a large assortment with exclusive products, extensive services and perfect customer satisfaction, we do want to become the first choice for all the local and international customers for Cinnamon based products.
To create and facilitate the development of value added Cinnamon Products Nationally and Internationally in order to be the world leader in value added Cinnamon products within 5 years.
To build and maintain a strong relationship with Cinnamon suppliers, intermediaries and customers and encourage forward & backward integration to secure a good future for the Cinnamon industry.
Management Team
Mrs. Upuli De Silva - Founding Managing Director
As the Managing Director (2010 – 2020) she directed the company with a clear vision to be the most admired and preferred Cinnamon brand in the world. Mrs. De. Silva strongly believed in extensive research and development before releasing a product to the market. In her background as the Head of Quality Assurance of her family export business “Mala Garments”, Mrs. De. Silva always gave priority to quality. Her creative ideas and the passion for innovations were the driving forces to found Cinnamon Legends (Pvt) Ltd.
Along with the responsibilities of running a quickly growing international company, Mrs. De. Silva dedicated her time to mentoring and empowering people to achieve their professional and personal goals. She was genuinely compassionate for others and was instrumental in Cinnamon Legends CSR endeavours. She led employees and senior members by example with her hands-on approach and was instrumental in the company’s growth and success.
Mr. G.N.A De Silva - Chairman
Mr. Nihal De Silva the Chairman of Cinnamon Legends (Pvt) Ltd is also a Director of G. P. De. Silva and sons International Ltd which holds about 25% market share of Sri Lanka’s total Cinnamon bulk exports. The firm caters to the demand of the entire south America, Europe and Middle East market. It had been ranked the world’s largest Cinnamon exports for over 15 years.
Mr. Nihal is also the Chairman of D Triangle (Pvt) Ltd which is into bulk export of spices who is from a highly respected and noteworthy family of Southern Sri Lanka founded Cinnamon Legends with the objective of adding value to Cinnamon which inturns add value to lives of people in Sri Lanka. He has grown parallel to the growth of the Cinnamon Industry. He has taken many steps towards the improvement and maintaining the quality and standards in the industry. He has travelled around the world to promote Ceylon Cinnamon and his efforts have been appreciated at many national and international forums. Mr. Nihal has initiated a number of activities to uplift the lives of Cinnamon cultivators and peelers in addition to his social works
Mr. Anushka Vidanapathirana - Chief Executive Officer
Anushka Vidanapathirana has been in the corporate sector for almost 15 years driving leading brands successfully. With his exposure to many local and international ventures and experience in managing relationships with government institutes, media and private institutes, the future of cinnamon legends will be solid and stable.
Being an active community member, Mr. Vidanapathirana has held many positions in leading chambers, associations and voluntary bodies in Sri Lanka.
He holds an MBA -Post Graduate Institute of Management (PIM). He is also a graduate in B.Sc Marketing Management (Special) of University of Sri Jayewardenepura and bears professional qualifications in marketing and media nationally and internationally. He is a visiting lecturer and eloquent speaker on business management.