Launched in 1979 as ‘Air Lanka Catering Services’, Sri Lankan Catering was rebranded later and now has many functions, that include airline catering, laundry, ready-to-eat meals, fast food restaurants, airport operations, B2B Industrial Catering, banquet and outdoor catering. Sri Lankan Catering is dedicated to its vision ‘To be the Best Airline Caterer in Asia’ and it could be said that they have remained faithful to these words, with their hard work and dedication being reflected in the many awards they’ve won for their food and hospitality.

Recently, they won the award for ‘Outstanding Excellence in Food & Beverage Manufacturing in Inflight Catering in South Asia’ at the South Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022. The catering arm of Sri Lankan airlines is located a few kilometres away from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), and all meals served by Sri Lankan Airlines are produced in state-of-the-art establishments. The careful preservation of its fresh ingredients is well-balanced by the storage facilities that aid the long-term usage of ingredients.  

The culinary expertise exhibited by Sri Lankan Catering demonstrates its abilities through the plethora of cuisines it offers – from Far Eastern to vegan options to Middle Eastern, there is unity between the global culture and the Sri Lankan ‘touch’ added to these cuisines. They aim to provide a holistic Sri Lankan experience to their customers. One could also say, the greatest asset Sri Lankan Catering possesses is its people. Known as the ‘Sri Lankan Catering Family’, its people comprise chefs, support staff and other employees who contribute immensely to the daily successful operations. Having 40 years of industry experience in its portfolio, the team at the Catering arm are well-versed in their respective operations. The catering section is also known for its multi-tasking capabilities as it also engages in other services. Quality assurance is also extended to its catering section, as a set of practices is enacted in order to ensure that its commitment to safety and hygiene is conducted successfully. 

The meals served onboard are customised according to the destination each flight travels to. For instance, the flight from Colombo to London offers its meals around lunchtime, as the flight takes off at noon. Options of as many as four are provided for the passengers to choose from. The catering arm takes pride in its latest idea of the ‘Sri Lankanisation’ of food and this is reflected in the breakfast they serve to passengers. Traditional Sri Lankan food such as Lavaria and beverages such as Thambili are a hit among the passengers. Tea, the representative beverage of Sri Lanka is also proudly served onboard. An array of choices are offered to the passenger, from a wide variety of flavours solely made and produced in Sri Lanka. Staying true to Sri Lankan heritage, tea is served in silverware. The top-notch meals Sri Lankan catering also produces are also served at lounges in the airport, from the popular Serendib Lounge to other exclusive lounges such as the Lotus and Emirates lounge.

Due to the pandemic, the number of flights operating was reduced significantly and, at times, halted altogether. This resulted in a need within Sri Lankan Catering to venture into other avenues to ensure that revenue was consistently generated. Their venture, Ready to Eat meals, labelled as ‘Cuisine Gastronome’, was launched. Championing the local cuisine and its ingredients, Sri Lankan Catering aims to create awareness of the nature of its ingredients and hopes to generate conversation about ethnic influences that have played a vital role in the execution of these traditional dishes. These well-curated frozen meals are seen in any local supermarket such as Cargills, Keells and Glomark and the range of cuisines offered to customers is diverse. From sole curries such as Lotus Root Curry and Thalapath Red Fish Curry to composite meals, these pre-packaged meals are destined to be a hit among the public.

The price range for these meals could be deemed as affordable, as it is comparable to an average meal a Sri Lankan would consume. Sri Lankan catering has expanded its horizons beyond the Sri Lankan border as it also supplies these meals to other countries such as Australia and Canada. The CEO of Sri Lankan Catering, Mangala Wijesekara affirms that these meals have been received well by the international audience.

text Tiranya Ranasinghe
photos Kithsiri De Mel