Indigenous Heritage Partnership
Russel’s Wellness honors Sri Lanka’s living wisdom by partnering respectfully with the country’s Indigenous (Vedda) community. Through a formally documented Memorandum of Understanding with Uru Warige Wannila Aththo, we have consent to reference ancestral wellness knowledge and recipes within our Ceylon Ancestral Herbal Infusions range. This is a pioneering, formally documented brand–community partnership in Sri Lanka, built on consent, respect, and ongoing benefit-sharing.
To ensure the partnership creates tangible community value, 4% of sales proceeds from the Ancestral Infusions are allocated to a dedicated fund that supports community-prioritized initiatives, such as cultural preservation, education, health and wellbeing, and sustainable livelihoods. Allocation decisions are made transparently with community representation, and we commit to periodic public updates on progress.
Our approach is simple: ask permission, share benefits, and tell the story responsibly. The MoU signing with the Chief symbolizes a relationship grounded in Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), not appropriation. We celebrate heritage without making medical claims, and we invest back into the people who safeguard this knowledge.
By choosing Russel’s Ancestral Infusions, customers help sustain a living tradition—supporting community dignity while enjoying thoughtfully crafted teas inspired by Sri Lanka’s oldest wellness practices.