Born in 1989, Agromart Outreach Foundation (AOF) began its journey with a simple yet powerful vision – to uplift Sri Lanka’s farming communities and rural entrepreneurs through sustainable, inclusive development. Over the years, what started as a small initiative has grown into a nationally recognized non-governmental organization working across multiple regions of the country.
From the beginning, AOF has been deeply rooted in the heart of Sri Lanka’s rural economy — partnering with production societies, farmers’ associations, and women-led agricultural groups to bring lasting change to the grassroots. The Foundation’s mission has always been clear: to modernize agriculture and trade practices while empowering smallholder farmers, micro and small-scale enterprises, and start-ups, especially those led by women and youth.
For over three decades, AOF has built a reputation for consistency, reliability, and measurable impact. Through innovative programs that address poverty, gender equity, and community resilience, AOF has supported thousands of families in creating better livelihoods. Among its most notable initiatives is the creation of Agromart Production Societies (APS) — women-led community groups that offer both financial and non-financial services to drive sustainable livelihood development across several districts.
After a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis of 2020–2023, AOF is re-emerging with renewed energy and purpose. Under a new leadership and management, the Foundation is expanding its focus to include urban and rural youth and women entrepreneurs, introducing a new wave of programs and partnerships designed to inspire innovation, opportunity, and resilience across communities. Today, AOF stands not just as an organization, but as a movement — one that continues to grow, evolve, and empower the people who feed and sustain our nation.
Agromart works alongside farming families and rural communities, offering support, guidance, and resources to help them grow stronger together. Through hands-on training, community programs, and sustainable initiatives, we aim to uplift livelihoods, create new opportunities, and ensure every family has the chance to thrive. Our mission is simple — to be present, to listen, and to reach out with the help that truly makes a difference.
Seela Ebert is a distinguished Sri Lankan public servant and women’s rights advocate with a career spanning government, youth development, and civil society. A former Sri Lanka Administrative Service officer, she served as Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and later as a Member of the National Police Commission. She led the Sarvodaya Women’s Movement as Director, strengthening its rights-based approach to gender equality. Internationally, she served as Asia Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, contributing to youth empowerment across the region. A dedicated champion of women’s leadership, she served multiple terms as President of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women, advancing education and professional development for women nationwide.
S. W. (Solomon) Kiriarachchi is a retired senior Sri Lankan government administrative officer with extensive service across key ministries, including Agriculture, Transport, and Local Government. After his public-sector career, he joined the development field as a Director of the Outreach Foundation and later played a pivotal role in establishing its finance arm. He served as Operations Director and subsequently became Chairman of Agromart Microfinance, helping expand access to credit for rural entrepreneurs, farmers, and micro-enterprises. He has also contributed to the wider sector through leadership roles in microfinance associations and development bodies. Kiriarachchi is recognized for promoting financially inclusive, community-focused development models that empower low-income families.
Isha Miranda is a seasoned National Consultant and Independent Expert in Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation, with nearly two decades of experience spanning the development and private sectors. Her expertise covers a wide spectrum including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, gender and women’s empowerment, research and development, management in humanitarian and development contexts, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
With a strong professional background in administration, finance, and management across both Sri Lanka and Canada, Isha brings a rich blend of global perspective and local insight to her work.
A founding member of several initiatives and organizations, Isha also serves on the boards of multiple professional bodies. She is a dedicated trainer, mentor, and researcher, and has authored numerous papers and articles in her areas of expertise.
With over 33 years of experience, Bandula Sri Kumara Weerasinghe is a seasoned development professional specializing in project management, community and livelihood development, SME growth, and peacebuilding. He has worked extensively with government ministries, international agencies, business chambers, NGOs, and civil society organizations. His expertise spans community empowerment, climate change adaptation, sustainable resource management, and disaster response.
Bandula holds postgraduate qualifications in Business Administration and Sociology, along with specialized diplomas in Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding, and Agriculture. As a licensed Master Trainer (SIYB – ILO, Geneva), he is committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable development across communities.
Bandula Perera has been a valued and long-standing member of AOF since 2005, contributing to the successful delivery of numerous projects across several districts in Sri Lanka. With over three decades of experience in the agricultural sector, he brings deep technical knowledge and field-based insight to his work.
Before joining AOF, Bandula built a distinguished career at the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, where he served for 30 years. He holds a National Diploma in Agriculture from the Hardy Senior Technical Institute and a Postgraduate Diploma in Land Resource Planning from the National College of Agricultural Engineering (NCAE), Silsoe, UK.
In addition to his work with AOF, Bandula serves as a Consultant for Dignity in Work for All (DIVA), an international organization advocating for the freedom and rights of workers.
Indrasiri Weganthalawatte is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in project management and international development. He currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director at South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka, where he leads strategic initiatives that drive social and economic empowerment. Over his 21-year career, he has held key positions such as Senior Program Manager at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Country Director for the Life After War Project in Sri Lanka. His work has centered on empowering women and youth, supporting business growth, strengthening community-based organizations, promoting child protection, and fostering dairy entrepreneur development. Indrasiri has also contributed to international development efforts by conducting project evaluations in Kenya, Uganda, and Sri Lanka, collaborating with renowned organizations including Comic Relief, Oxfam GB, and World Vision
With over 30 years of experience in agribusiness, climate-smart agriculture, and rural development, Somathilaka Wijesinghe specializes in advancing sustainable agricultural growth and inclusive rural economies. He has led initiatives that strengthen value chains, build climate resilience, and empower smallholder farmers through innovation and entrepreneurship.
A skilled proposal developer and project designer, he has worked closely with development agencies, multilateral organizations, and government partners to shape impactful, donor-aligned programs. As a licensed CEFE National Lead Trainer, Somathilaka is deeply committed to promoting sustainability, gender equity, and youth inclusion in agricultural development.
Ramzeena Morseth Lye is a seasoned marketing and brand strategist with over three decades of professional experience across leading multinational and local organizations in Sri Lanka. She has held senior leadership positions in the telecommunications, consumer goods, and food and beverage industries, where she has driven brand transformation, digital adoption, and market growth.
Recognized for her mentorship and leadership, Ramzeena is also an active trainer, coach, and advocate for young entrepreneurs. Across all her roles, she brings together strategic marketing expertise, deep local insight, customer-focused thinking, and strong governance acumen to create meaningful and sustainable impact.
Menaka Shanmugalingham is a dedicated professional with over 25 years of experience in the NGO sector, specializing in human rights advocacy and community development. Her career began in an audit firm and later extended across diverse industries including garments and advertising, before she found her true calling in the field of human rights.
Deeply committed to promoting justice and dignity, Menaka has worked extensively with civil society groups, prisoners, and children in care institutions. Her work has focused on designing and implementing human rights awareness and para-legal training programmes, conducting needs assessments, and improving the standards of children’s homes across Sri Lanka.
With over 18 years of experience in the humanitarian and non-profit sectors—following a successful career as a Corporate Sales Manager—Chrishanthi brings a wealth of leadership and strategic management expertise to her work. She holds an Executive MSc in Project Management and a Diploma in Human Rights, and is an alumna of Methodist College, Colombo 03.
Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable peace in Sri Lanka. Over the years, she has led numerous initiatives in peacebuilding, human security, and the protection of women’s and children’s rights, working closely with communities across the country.
The story of the Parabowa Farmers’ Association began in the year 2000, when five determined farmers came together with a shared dream — to revive and protect the traditional crops of their ancestors. They called themselves Parani Boga Wagakaruwō, meaning “Traditional Crop Growers,” a name that carried both pride and purpose.
In their early years, the farmers achieved a remarkable milestone — exporting 10 tons of traditional organic rice to Italy, a feat that placed their village on the map of Sri Lanka’s organic agriculture movement. Over the years, Parabowa has artfully woven ancient farming wisdom with modern innovation, adopting practices like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to enhance yields while preserving the environment.
Nestled amidst the hills and valleys of Kegalle, Meedeniya is a charming agricultural hub where life gently follows the rhythm of the land. Here, generations of farmers—both large and smallholders—nurture a rich variety of crops: rubber, tea, coconut, spices, and the ever-precious rice. Across the landscape, emerald paddy fields stretch beside small, picturesque villages, where tight-knit farming families work hand in hand, their livelihoods deeply rooted in the fertile soil they cherish.
Just twelve kilometres from Kegalle, along the old Kandy–Colombo Road, lies Molagoda, a village where the earth itself tells stories. Here, more than fifty families continue a craft believed to date back to the Kandyan Era — perhaps even earlier. In every courtyard, the soft rhythm of shaping clay echoes through generations, as skilled hands mold earth into life: pots, vases, trays, ornaments, and the simple household wares that have long been part of Sri Lankan homes.
Molagoda is more than a village — it is a living museum of tradition, where artistry and livelihood are bound by the red clay of its soil. Yet, like many ancient crafts, it faces the challenge of keeping its legacy alive in a changing world.
Shanthi is a 50-year-old woman who engages with her neighbours and local community to produce candle wicks (pahan thira) which she then packages and sells to wholesalers. They need help to procure the required raw material (a specific type of fabric) at a reasonable price. At present they buy the needed material from contractors who buy discarded cut pieces from garment factories. AOF to intervene and seek the assistance of Brandix that has two factories in the region on the possibility of securing these at a lower price.
Tucked away in the green hills of Kegalle, a quiet yet inspiring enterprise is taking root. The Kegalle Mushroom Producers Association, fondly known as KEMPA, brings together around 40 small-scale entrepreneurs who have turned humble home spaces into thriving pockets of cultivation. Within shaded sheds and improvised growing rooms, families nurture delicate clusters of American Oyster and Abalone mushrooms — a source of both nutrition and pride.
These are truly community-run ventures: husbands and wives tending to mushroom beds together, children helping with packaging, and neighbors lending a hand when demand surges. The mushrooms find their way to nearby markets and local shops, meeting the steady appetite for this affordable, protein-rich food.
At the heart of Kegalle’s growing economy stands the Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (KDCCIA) — a driving force for progress and sustainability in the region. For years, the Chamber has been more than just an institution; it has been a bridge connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across every corner of the district.
With a dedicated team of professionals, KDCCIA works tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs alike. Through its strong national and international networks, the Chamber provides training, development services, and vital linkages that empower local enterprises to grow. Its mission goes beyond economic success — it aims to build a self-sustaining ecosystem that fuels social and economic prosperity throughout Kegalle
