From backyard workshop to a bamboo enterprise
In a small backyard workshop in Kadirana, Negombo, what began as a side experiment has gradually developed into a niche manufacturing operation centred on one of the world’s fastest growing sustainable materials. For M.A.N. Tyrone Fernando, a former manufacturing professional turned entrepreneur, bamboo represents not only a business opportunity but also a potential shift in how materials are sourced and used in Sri Lanka’s construction and product industries.
Mr. Fernando, entered entrepreneurship after more than 25 years in Sri Lanka’s manufacturing sector, where he held roles ranging from production manager to factory and operations manager in both multinational and local companies. His exposure to industrial systems and production processes provided the technical foundation for what would later become his own venture.
Mr Tyronne Fernando
The turning point came during overseas travel. Visits to countries such as China, Singapore and Malaysia exposed him to a different use of bamboo, not as a basic or temporary material, but as a processed, value added product used across industries.
“I saw products made out of bamboo, and I was fascinated,” Mr. Fernando said. “That’s when I started experimenting, just small trials after work in my backyard.”
Started in 2006
Bamboo table mats
In 2006, he formally established his business, initially focusing on wooden picture frames and gift items. However, bamboo soon became the central focus. Working alone in a small makeshift workshop, he began testing its potential as an alternative to traditional timber. Through trial and error, he developed what is believed to be Sri Lanka’s first bamboo gift tea box, marking an early step in introducing bamboo based consumer products to the local market.
A newspaper feature in the Sunday Times in 2015 brought wider attention to his work, helping to connect his experimentation with broader market interest. The next phase of growth followed through engagement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, which had initiated a bamboo development project in Sri Lanka.
Drawing on his industry background and self-driven research, Mr. Fernando proposed a project to manufacture engineered bamboo boards and planks. The proposal was accepted, and he was supported with machinery that allowed him to move beyond small scale production.
From a 160-square foot backyard space, operations expanded into a 6,000-square foot facility in Kadirana. The factory now processes raw bamboo into finished boards that can be used in place of conventional hardwoods such as teak or mahogany.
Mr. Fernando believes the material’s potential is still not widely understood in Sri Lanka. “Bamboo is not a tree, it’s a grass,” he said. “But once it is treated properly, it becomes stronger than many hardwoods.”
He points to several advantages that align with global material trends, including its rapid renewability, lower carbon footprint and adaptability across applications. In addition to being biodegradable, bamboo also offers natural thermal properties that can help regulate indoor temperatures.
These characteristics have supported the company’s gradual shift into construction-related products. While the business began with smaller items such as boxes, mats and utensils, it now produces bamboo decking, ceiling panels, roofing shingles and interior fittings. Flattened and woven bamboo panels are also part of the product range.
Such materials have found use in boutique hospitality and ecotourism developments, particularly in projects seeking to position themselves around sustainability. One example includes supplying bamboo roofing for a yoga retreat in southern Sri Lanka.
Despite these developments, market awareness remains a constraint. Mr. Fernando notes that a significant part of his work has involved educating potential users, including government institutions, architects and industry stakeholders. “People don’t fully understand bamboo yet,” he said. “So I started by educating them.”
Awareness
He has conducted awareness programmes with organisations such as the Forest Department, Agriculture Department and the Industrial Development Board, aiming to reposition bamboo from a low value resource to a viable industrial material.
The business itself has been built with limited external financing. Mr. Fernando says he developed operations without relying on bank loans, gradually expanding through reinvestment. The company grew to a workforce of 13 employees before the pandemic and currently operates with a smaller team supported by mechanised production.
The brand name “Dathri,” under which his bamboo products are marketed, reflects a philosophy of care and protection. Derived from Sanskrit, it represents nurturing and preservation, an idea Mr. Fernando links to both his products and the broader concept of sustainability.
Looking ahead, the next phase of development is expected to focus on more advanced applications. Fernando is exploring products derived from bamboo powder, including items such as plates, cups and containers, which could expand the material’s use into new segments. Scaling production to this level, however, would require further investment and technical capability.
At a broader level, he sees bamboo as an underutilised economic opportunity for Sri Lanka. Countries such as China and Vietnam have already developed large scale bamboo industries, integrating cultivation, processing and export.
“Bamboo can create an economy,” he said. “It can uplift communities, reduce environmental damage and position Sri Lanka in a global sustainable market.”
As global industries move towards low carbon materials and circular production systems, smaller, specialised manufacturers such as Mr. Fernando’s may find increasing relevance. The challenge remains whether local awareness, investment and policy support can keep pace with that potential.
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