Driving transformation at the core of Sri Lanka’s thriving health and retail sectors is a visionary force who dared to challenge convention, not for acclaim or applause, but to answer a quiet, persistent call for change. Roshini Galappatti, the Managing Director of Vitawell, is not only the architect of Sri Lanka’s first and only specialist wellness retail network—she is redefining what it means to live consciously, lead authentically, and build with purpose.
After a two-decade-long career in the corporate world, Roshini made a bold pivot into uncharted territory. Her journey wasn’t sparked by a sudden epiphany, but rather a gradual realization rooted in lived experience. “There really was no specific ‘aha!’ moment,” she shares. “It was a series of personal experiences—particularly as a mother of two small boys—that opened my eyes to the glaring gaps in Sri Lanka’s wellness market.”
In her quest to provide her children with quality vitamins and nutritional support, Roshini discovered that the market was not just fragmented—it was fundamentally unreliable. Products were inconsistent in availability, origins were often unclear, and authenticity was questionable. What started as consumer frustration soon evolved into a compelling vision: to create a trusted space where Sri Lankans could access authentic wellness products and reliable information under one roof.
That vision gave rise to Vitawell—a wellness retail brand that has, over the past decade, revolutionized how Sri Lankans engage with health. But the journey was anything but easy.
Starting a business in an emerging industry requires more than foresight—it demands the courage to walk a path few have traveled. For Roshini, building Vitawell meant navigating a landscape with no roadmap, no template, and little institutional support.
“Banks didn’t know how to evaluate our business model. There was no precedent for what we were trying to build,” she recalls. “When we attempted to integrate our online store with an Internet Payment Gateway (IPG), most financial institutions stalled. Our product portfolio was unique, and e-commerce itself was still relatively rare in 2014.”
Each challenge highlighted just how new and misunderstood the concept of proactive wellness was in Sri Lanka. Yet, Roshini’s unshakeable belief in her mission powered her through uncertainty. “Entrepreneurship is a play of both vision and grit,” she asserts. “In our case, grit defined the journey. It wasn’t just about launching a business—it was about proving that what we were building had value, meaning, and the power to change lives.”
Her persistence paid off. In the early days, when the business lacked credentials in the wellness space, it was Roshini’s clarity of vision and relentless advocacy that convinced major international brands to come on board. Nature’s Way, Australia’s largest vitamin brand, became one of Vitawell’s early partners. So did Vitaco from New Zealand, despite initial skepticism. “They asked me, ‘What does someone from a corporate communications background know about health and wellness?’ And to be fair, it was a valid question,” she says with a smile. “But our stoic conviction in the market potential persuaded Vitaco to come on board and be a partner in what we were trying to create.”
Today, Vitawell stands not only as a retail pioneer but as a trusted thought leader in Sri Lanka’s health and wellness sector. Roshini attributes this success to the brand’s values. “From the beginning, we built Vitawell on product integrity, transparency, and quality,” she says. “We’re not just selling products—we’re advocating for a lifestyle shift. One that prioritizes long-term well-being over short-term solutions.”
For Roshini, wellness is not about chasing perfection or reversing age—it’s about honouring the body, embracing change, and living with intention. Her personal philosophy, rooted in graceful ageing, conscious living, and authenticity, deeply influences the brand’s identity. “We believe wellness should be real, accessible, and empowering. It’s not about unrealistic ideals. It’s about celebrating where you are and making proactive choices every day.”
That mindset is reflected in everything from product curation to customer engagement. Vitawell champions clean, effective formulations, encourages informed decision-making, and fosters a sense of community among its growing clientele. Through workshops, educational content, and personalized support, the brand continues to make wellness less intimidating and more inclusive.
While Roshini’s business acumen is unquestionable, what sets her apart is her approach to leadership. Grounded, empathetic, and purpose-driven, she sees her role not as a figurehead, but as a custodian of trust. “We constantly remind ourselves that our goal is to genuinely improve people’s lives. Everything else flows from that.”
In a world that often equates leadership with authority or ambition, Roshini offers a refreshing counterpoint: one that emphasizes service, self-awareness, and staying true to one’s core. “In a fast-moving industry where trends change and pressures mount, authenticity is your anchor. The more rooted you are in your values, the easier it is to navigate uncertainty.”
As an entrepreneur in a still-evolving sector, Roshini has also become a quiet force for change—proving that leadership can be both soft and strong, intuitive and strategic. Her journey has not only reshaped an industry but also offered a blueprint for purpose-led entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka.
As Vitawell continues to grow—both in reach and impact—Roshini remains committed to her founding principles. The company is exploring deeper digital integration, strategic brand partnerships, and expanded educational initiatives to help more Sri Lankans embrace preventive health. Yet, through all the growth, Roshini’s compass remains the same: a deep, personal belief in conscious living and a heartfelt desire to make wellness a way of life, not just a market trend.
“I don’t think of Vitawell as a business,” she reflects. “I think of it as a platform for change. If we can help even a small part of our community live better, healthier, more intentional lives—then we are on the path to achieving what we set out to do in 2014.”
In a world hungry for authenticity and driven by disruption, Roshini reminds us that the most powerful innovations often begin with a single, sincere question: How can I make things better?