Dinali Dandeniya

Today, I’m in conversation with an exemplary female Entrepreneur who is transforming the restaurant industry in Sri Lanka with her amazing vibes, creativity, and entrepreneurial prowess. Her brand Café Kumbuk is winning the hearts of the local community and tourists, and is also now globally acclaimed for their service and ambience, as a local hero restaurant. Café Kumbuk is celebrated for its services colored by their principles of affordability, authenticity, and freshness. Their hospitality truly symbolizes the Kumbuk tree; the one that is beautiful, standing tall and providing shade from the tropical heat. Today, we are bringing light to her latest milestones, and of course to her perspective on the industry, leadership, and progressive vision; Dinali Dandeniya Co-Founder and Director of Café Kumbuk.

What’s your journey been like so far, especially in Sri Lanka’s highly competitive restaurant industry? The journey has been very challenging throughout the past five years. We have experienced many highs and lows and celebrated much success. The industry has become extremely competitive so we continue to work hard and maintain our focus.

Despite any industrial challenge, Cafe Kumbuk placed its name under the Essence of Asia’ collection compiled by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. I’d like to know your thoughts about this amazing achievement? We are simply overwhelmed by the acknowledgement and recognition. It is indeed an honor to be considered alongside The Gallery Cafe and Mettha’s Home Cooked Meals. The past year and the global pandemic has been challenging for the industry so this recognition has made it worthwhile.

I see that your business vision is woven around supporting and being in harmony with the ecosystem. How important was it for you to incorporate healthy and sustainable living to your services? It is of the utmost importance to us and upon which the foundations of this business was established. Our aim was to encourage and lead in community understanding of choices related to health and sustainability.

In a world where sustainable lifestyle is often perceived as “expensive”, how do you see the tables turning? We believe that not all sustainable changes are expensive and that everyone can make small, but significant changes, to their lifestyles. There is growing awareness and community engagement to help inspire and direct communities.

This journey comes to life with an invigorating mother-daughter partnership! What experiences and learnings have you acquired through this business partnership? We have both learned much from each other, to play to each other’s strengths, to ask for help when needed and most importantly to develop our support system both at home and at work.

    You also have lived a significant part of your life as a global citizen. What inspired you to come back and embrace the island roots? My daughter, Shana and I, were lucky that my parents made sure we all stayed in touch with our cultural home and extended families. We were taught to appreciate the positives of Sri Lanka, the opportunities and its diverse culture. We visited every year since birth and today we are thankful to both Ammi and Thathi for ensuring we had that connection.

  Dinali, you are also involved in voicing an array of social issues and taking lead in initiatives with organizations such as the Rotary Club. What causes are you most passionate about? Yes, I am a Past President of The Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan and currently serving as the District Secretary for District 3220 Sri Lanka and Maldives. I tend to focus on community based projects that help alleviate poverty and sickness in children. Currently, championing heart surgeries for children born with congenital heart disease, as there is a substantial waiting list for children awaiting this life changing surgery, and if left untreated can cause additional complications and shorten their life span. I too was born with congenital heart disease and fortunate enough to have received life changing heart surgery at the age of eleven years, it had a significant impact on my life and wellbeing.