Sri Lanka’s agri sector eyes billions in untapped Halal markets

From  left: Assistant General Manager Thilak prasanna, General Manager Marketing Dilan Gunarathna, General Manager Operations Alanka Abeysekara, Director Muditha Jayawardana, Chairman Asia International consolidated Dr. Asanka Dissanayake, Al Usthaz Al Alim, M. B. M. Hisham – Secretary, International Business Consultant and Head of Sharia Business Rummy Hussain, Attorney at law N.M. Riyaz, Al Usthaz Al Alim A. K. M. Bilaal, Al Usthaz Al Alim M. R. M. Rizan, Moulavi M. R. Abdul Rahuman – Treasurer and Moulavi A.L.M.Naufer 

Asia Plantation & Export (Pvt) Ltd formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sri Lanka Sharia Council, a move that will become a turning point in the island’s export sector. As a company that always breaks new ground in the business world, it has made history as the first plantation company in Sri Lanka to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sharia Council on Islamic Finance. 

The company, which sits under the broader Asia International Consolidated (Pvt) Ltd umbrella, has spent years building a reputation as a reliable exporter of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Asia Plantation & Export (Pvt) Ltd has grown to become one of the largest and most trusted strawberry suppliers in the Sri Lankan market. They are the proud winners of the prestigious Golden Feather Award for 2023–2024, a recognition that has been purely obtained by the trust they have built over the years, both locally and internationally. 

The Signing of MOU with the Sri Lanka Sharia Council adds a whole new dimension to the Plantation Sector of the company. Initially the Company will open the doors for the Pineapple Project and it is likely to inaugurate an Islamic Unit for agriculture Purposes of the Company by the end of march 2026.   

 According to the agreement, the Company will strictly adhere to the legal Islamic rulings (Fatwa) issued by Darul fatwa of Sri Lanka Sharia Council related to the pineapple project along with Terms and Conditions and three agreements to the said project which were prepared by the council itself. Furthermore, the logo of the council solely will be used by the Company to prepare the document of fatwa, terms and conditions and agreement of the said project. 

In future, the company intends to introduce Sharia Compliant financing modules with the consultation of the council for another plantation project. The goal of the company is .by facilitating an Islamic finance is to open doors to the vast and growing Muslim Consumer market across the Middle East and Asia module for the Clients willing to gain business profit in Islamic structure.

The signing ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from both organizations. From the Sri Lanka Sharia Council, the MOU was formally signed by Al Usthaz Al Alim M. B. M. Hisham (Al Faththahi), Secretary of the Council, in the presence of Al Usthaz Al Alim M. R. M. Rizan (Al Ihsani), Al Usthaz Al Alim M. R. M. Jahankeer (Al Zahri), Al Usthaz Al Alim A. K. M. Bilaal (Al Ilmi), Al Alim M. Harid Muheed (Al Bahji), and Moulavi M. R. Abdul Rahuman (Al Hilāli), Treasurer of the Council and Attorney -at -Law N. M. Reyaz  

From Asia International Consolidated (Pvt) Ltd, the MOU was signed by Chairman Dr. Asanka Dissanayake and by the Directeress Dulanthi Kodikara, Director Muditha Jayawardhana , General Manager Operations Alanka Abeysekara, General Manager Marketing Dilan Gunaratna, Assistant General Manager Thilak Prasanna and International Business Consultant & Head of Sharia Business Rumy Hussain. 

By facilitating and adhering to the Sharia compliant financial frame works, Asia plantations & Export Will become a major attraction for Islamic Investment capital, which arrives mostly from Gulf States Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern Economies. what begins as a Financing framework today could very realistically evolve into direct foreign investment tomorrow.

The initiative and bold step taken by the company to promote Islamic Financial module through Plantation sector will not only attract fresh foreign investment but will also support national food security goals and greatly contribute to reforestation effort through responsible land use 

Beyond agriculture, the Asia International Consolidated Group spans tourism, healthcare, and hospitality, with plantation operations also extending into Singapore and Malaysia through its Aerosphere arm.