Ruvinika Ranasinghe, Brewing more than a cup of tea
Posted: October 3, 2023
Ruvinika (Ruvi) Ranasinghe, a second-generation tea exporter from Sri Lanka and an Australia Awards alumna, first developed the idea of Térapy Ceylon in 2019. Her concept was to combine tea with Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditions to create a unique tea experience. At that time, Ruvi had limited knowledge of how to introduce her product to the global market. She learned about the Australia Awards Short Course on Women Trading Globally, delivered by the Export Council of Australia, and realized it was the perfect opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and tools to position her product internationally. She applied and was accepted into the Short Course.
In June 2019, Ruvi traveled to Perth with 15 other Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small business owners to attend the Short Course. This was her first visit to Western Australia, and she appreciated its unique landscape. She fondly recalls attending lectures and various site visits. The most significant takeaway from her journey was the network she built with her course-mates. They remain close friends and provide each other with professional support, guidance, and emotional support. Ruvi values her participation in the Short Course, which promoted growth in neighboring countries and emphasized the importance of global cooperation over individual economic strength. Inspired by this mindset, much of Ruvi’s entrepreneurial journey focuses on community growth rather than individual success.
After completing the Short Course, Ruvi returned to Sri Lanka with ideas on how to market and distribute Térapy Ceylon internationally. In 2020, Térapy Ceylon was launched. The teas are based on 100% pure Ceylon teas infused with Sri Lanka’s ancient heritage of Ayurvedic remedies and are packed in Sri Lanka. Ruvi and her team collaborate with indigenous Ayurvedic practitioners to source the finest endemic, heirloom ingredients. During her travels to meet these practitioners in remote parts of the island, she connected with villagers and rural communities who shared their knowledge and expertise. She realized her mission extended beyond combining Ayurveda with tea; it involved supporting the passion and sustainable lifestyles of these communities. Many of the herbs used in their blends are sourced from these communities.
Térapy Ceylon works with indigenous farmers who own their land and set their prices. The company does not negotiate for lower prices, instead accepting market rates, mindful of the impact conventional farming practices have had on the environment and local communities. As the project grows, the team is committed to working closely with local indigenous communities and farmers to use organic, environmentally friendly, and ethical methods to maintain the supply of ingredients without harming the soil or environment.
As an organic farming enthusiast, Ruvi pays special attention to how Térapy Ceylon sources its ingredients, how products are packaged, and the environmental impact of every decision the company makes. They aim for luxurious yet sustainable packaging using biodegradable materials. The company developed a unique sliding pack using Forest Stewardship Council-approved material that is responsibly sourced. These papers come from trees harvested in a way that does not result in a net loss of forests over time. The tea packs are 100% recyclable, and the tea bags are 100% biodegradable, stitched rather than heat-sealed to avoid plastic contamination. The filter paper is produced from cellulose fibers such as abaca and wood pulp, making it naturally compostable and biodegradable, and it is unbleached.
In August 2023, Térapy Ceylon was selected as one of ten finalists in the Climate Adaptation Accelerator, a partnership between USAID and Good Life X. This achievement reflects the perseverance and hard work of Ruvi and her team in pursuing sustainable and regenerative trade practices.
Ruvi aims to continue growing Térapy Ceylon in the global market, achieving a level of turnover that helps retain profits in Sri Lanka while exporting the country’s endemic herbs and spices to consumers worldwide.