SLT-MOBITEL and Epic Technology Group recently announced the launch of the “Helaviru: Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange”, a cloud-based digital marketplace that facilitates seamless trading and exchange of Agro-Produce and Commodities among diverse stakeholders in Sri Lanka. ‘Helaviru’ will enable farmers and growers to sell their produce in a timely manner at a reasonable price through the use of digital technology, without the hassles involved in the physical marketplace.

The ‘Helaviru’ digital platform is conceptualized, designed and developed by Epic Technology Group and powered by SLT-MOBITEL’s cloud-based infrastructure, hosted in SLT’s state of the art data center and will be operationalized as a joint commercial initiative of both companies.

LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd and Softlogic Holdings PLC have come on board as strategic partners of the ‘Helaviru’ initiative.. As strategic partners, the companies will give their support and assistance in promoting ‘Helaviru’ and popularizing it among agriculture stakeholders in Sri Lanka and will encourage diverse stakeholders to actively use the platform for mutual benefit.

Mr. Lalith Seneviratne, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom expressed his support for the initiative. “Since time immemorial, agriculture has been the identity of the Sri Lankan people and the backbone of our economy. His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa envisions Sri Lanka’s return to a productive economy, and SLT-MOBITEL is proud to enable the digitised Sri Lankan Agri Value Chain by powering the Digital Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange at Helaviru.lk.”

“As the national ICT services provider, SLT-MOBITEL is honoured to partner this venture, hosting the platform and supporting the farming community with communication solutions and information support, enabling them to access and utilise the digital marketplace. We look forward to supporting Sri Lanka once again become the 'Granary of the East'.”, Mr. Seneviratne added.

In addition to being a strategic partner, LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd will also be a major buyer of products on the platform for the LAUGFS Super Market Chains. Similarly, Softlogic Holdings owned GLOMARK Supermarkets will come onboard as a major buyer, while the conglomerate’s retailer network, Softlogic Retail Pvt Ltd, who is a leading retailer in the Sri Lankan consumer electronics and furniture industry  who has spread across the Island is committed to promoting the platform among consumers through their retail outlets. Softlogic Retail will further offer Special Prices and customized Hire Purchase facilities with special Interest Free payment plans to Helaviru Customers for their product offerings on-boarded to the Helaviru  Platform.

Helaviru.lk is set to rectify these issues by bringing together all stakeholders of the Agro-Produce and Commodities supply-chain to a digital marketplace, eliminating unwarranted manipulations and obstacles in the Agro-Produce & Commodities supply-chain, minimising wastage, gathering and disseminating important data on local production; ultimately uplifting Sri Lankan agriculture.

‘Helaviru’ will act as the single platform that seamlessly connects diverse stakeholders of the Agro-Produce and Commodities supply-chain from seeding to shipment. It will enable commercial transactions among all stakeholders, create a set of common and micro services for all levels of stakeholders and provide scalable and streamlined infrastructure for Supply Chain Management. ‘Helaviru’ is envisioned to be a single point for data governance; developing a comprehensive database of land use, Agro-Produce cultivation, resource and material utilization, supply-demand behavior, and market dynamics. ‘Helaviru’, Digital Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange' will actively participate and assist the national programs for poverty alleviation, economic development and sharing of prosperity.