LUXURY WELLNESS ENTERS A NEW ERA OF RITUAL, BALANCE AND EVERYDAY SELF-CARE

Exclusive interview with Shalin Balasuriya, Co-Founder of Spa Ceylon

Your entrepreneurial journey has been driven by both heritage and innovation. Was there a defining moment when you realised Spa Ceylon had the potential to become much more than a global brand?

When we founded Spa Ceylon, our ambition wasn’t simply to create another beauty brand. We wanted to share one of Sri Lanka’s greatest gifts with the world. The defining moment came when we realised that people everywhere, regardless of culture or geography, were facing the same challenge: increasingly busy lives and a growing need to reconnect with themselves. That made us realise we weren’t just offering products; we were bringing timeless wellness rituals into modern lifestyles. From that point on, Spa Ceylon became about making authentic Ayurveda relevant, accessible and inspiring for people around the world.

Spa Ceylon has grown from a Sri Lankan wellness concept into the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda brand. Why was now the right time to enter the UAE, and what role does the region play in your long-term global vision?

The UAE is a market where wellness has become increasingly relevant because of the pace at which people live. It’s a dynamic, ambitious environment where people are constantly balancing careers, family life and social commitments. As a result, there’s a growing appreciation for rituals that help restore balance and create moments of calm.

For Spa Ceylon, it felt like the right time to introduce a modern interpretation of Ayurveda that fits naturally into contemporary lifestyles. The UAE is also an important strategic market, connecting diverse global communities and serving as a gateway to the wider Middle East, making it a key part of our long-term international growth.

You’ve often spoken about wellness as something that should uplift rather than simply treat. Has your own definition of wellbeing changed since founding Spa Ceylon?

My understanding of wellbeing has evolved over the years. Ayurveda has taught me that, when given the right nourishment, care and environment, our bodies have an incredible ability to heal and restore themselves. Rather than simply treating symptoms, it’s about supporting the body’s natural ability to maintain balance.

My belief in these ancient sciences has only grown stronger, especially as modern science continues to validate many of these timeless principles. That’s why I continue to embrace practices such as sound healing and meditation to stay grounded and connected. To me, wellbeing is built through the small, consistent rituals that help us maintain balance every day.

Dubai has become a hub for luxury retail, wellness and lifestyle brands. How do you see Spa Ceylon contributing something meaningfully different to this evolving landscape?

Luxury is evolving. Today, one of the greatest luxuries isn’t simply owning more, it’s living well. As our lives become increasingly fast-paced and connected, wellness is becoming the new luxury, with people placing greater value on experiences and rituals that help them slow down, reconnect and restore balance.

That’s where Spa Ceylon offers something distinctive. We bring together 5,000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary product innovation and immersive wellness experiences inspired by Sri Lanka. Rather than simply creating products, we create rituals that help people find moments of calm within their everyday lives.

Ayurveda is over 5,000 years old, yet wellness consumers today are looking for modern, convenient solutions. How have you balanced authenticity with contemporary lifestyles?

Our philosophy has always been to adapt the experience, not the wisdom. We preserve the integrity of Ayurveda while presenting it through modern formulations, elegant design and simple rituals that fit naturally into busy lives. Whether it’s a calming pillow mist, a daily skincare ritual or a home fragrance that transforms a space, we aim to make ancient wellness practices accessible without compromising their authenticity. Innovation should enhance tradition, not replace it.

Sustainability is often discussed in terms of packaging and sourcing, but Spa Ceylon has taken a broader approach through conservation and community initiatives. Why was it important to embed purpose into the business from the beginning?

At its heart, Ayurveda teaches us that true wellbeing comes from living in harmony with ourselves and the natural world. That belief has shaped Spa Ceylon from the very beginning. We couldn’t speak about balance while ignoring the environment that provides the ingredients, biodiversity and traditions that inspire everything we create.


That’s why sustainability has always been part of our thinking not simply through responsible sourcing, but through conservation and community initiatives that help protect Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. For us, caring for the planet is an extension of caring for people. One simply cannot exist without the other.

Do you think consumers are becoming more mindful about what they bring into their homes, from skincare to fragrances, and how is that influencing product development?

Absolutely. Consumers are becoming far more intentional about the products they surround themselves with, recognising that wellbeing extends beyond skincare into the overall atmosphere of the home. Fragrance, texture and daily rituals all influence how we feel emotionally. That has shaped our approach to product development. We begin by asking how we want someone to feel, then create products that support that experience through thoughtfully selected ingredients, purposeful formulations and sensory design. Wellness is becoming part of everyday living rather than something reserved for special occasions.