Shehan Sameen and Chaiwala Colombo: The Story Behind the Sri Lankan Chai Brand

What happens when six friends from different professional backgrounds decide to turn their shared love of tea into a business? For the founders of Chaiwala Colombo, the answer was a venture that began with a small food truck on Colombo's Marine Drive and grew into a recognisable name in Sri Lanka's chai culture.

Among the people behind the business is Shehan Sameen, a co-founder and director who has spoken publicly about the vision behind the brand. Their story demonstrates how an unexpected opportunity, teamwork and a willingness to try something different can inspire an entrepreneurial journey.

An Unexpected Opportunity During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted careers and businesses around the world. For one of the friends behind Chaiwala Colombo, an airline pilot, the crisis meant temporarily losing his job.

Rather than allowing the difficult circumstances to bring their plans to a halt, the six friends decided to revisit a business idea they had discussed for years.

The group included people from different professional backgrounds, including textiles, information technology, telecommunications, marketing and aviation. Although none had a background in the food and beverage industry, they shared an interest in chai and a desire to build something together.

Their idea was straightforward: Sri Lanka was already a nation of tea drinkers, but they saw an opportunity to introduce a dedicated street-style chai experience with a wider variety of flavours.

It was a risk, particularly at a time when the pandemic was creating uncertainty for businesses and consumers alike. Nevertheless, the founders decided to turn their idea into reality.

From Recipe Experiments to a Business

Creating a distinctive chai offering required more than simply serving an ordinary cup of tea.

The founders spent time experimenting with recipes, adjusting ingredients and testing different combinations of spices. Drawing on their exposure to different cultures and chai traditions, they worked to develop flavours that would appeal to Sri Lankan customers.

Their aim was to create an experience inspired by Indian-style chai while giving the product its own identity in the local market.

The process involved trial and error, repeated tastings and considerable patience. The team focused on the balance of spices, preparation methods and product quality before introducing the concept to the public.

This stage of their journey highlights an important lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs: a promising idea needs experimentation, customer feedback and a willingness to improve before it can become a sustainable business.

The Yellow Food Truck That Started It All

Chaiwala Colombo officially launched on 15 March 2021, serving customers from a food truck on Marine Drive in Colombo.

The format helped distinguish the business from conventional cafés and restaurants. Customers could stop by for a cup of chai, enjoy the street-food atmosphere and try flavours that were not commonly associated with a dedicated tea outlet in Sri Lanka.

The concept attracted attention, and the founders began building a customer base. Their business was not without challenges, however. Lockdowns and pandemic restrictions affected operations soon after launch, putting pressure on the new venture.

Instead of giving up, the team explored alternatives, including delivery and drive-through arrangements where possible. Their willingness to adapt became an important part of the business's early story.

The founders also recognised the importance of customer support. Positive responses and word-of-mouth recommendations helped the brand gain visibility as it established itself in Colombo.

Building a Brand Beyond a Cup of Tea

Chaiwala Colombo was not simply about introducing another beverage. The founders wanted to create a recognisable brand around the experience of drinking chai.

Its menu featured distinctive options, including Tandoori Chai and cardamom-infused chai, alongside snacks that complemented the drinks.

The concept gave customers a reason to visit specifically for chai rather than choosing tea as one option among many on a café menu.

For a country with a long-standing tea culture, this was an interesting business opportunity. The founders took a familiar product and presented it through a different format, combining a street-food concept with a more specialised menu.

The business subsequently expanded beyond its original food-truck beginnings, establishing outlets including one at One Galle Face Mall. In 2022, the brand also announced the opening of an outlet in Dubai, marking an important step in its international ambitions.

This expansion illustrated the potential for a Sri Lankan-founded food and beverage concept to reach customers beyond its original market.

What Aspiring Entrepreneurs Can Learn

The Chaiwala Colombo story offers several useful lessons for young Sri Lankans considering entrepreneurship.

First, recognise opportunities in familiar products. Tea was already part of everyday life in Sri Lanka, but the founders identified an opportunity to build a specialised business around a different chai experience.

Second, complementary skills can be powerful. The six friends brought different professional experiences to the venture. Their collaboration demonstrates that founders do not all need to come from the same industry.

Third, setbacks do not have to end an idea. The pandemic created the circumstances that pushed the group to revisit their plans, while subsequent restrictions forced them to explore alternative ways to serve customers.

Finally, product quality and consistency matter. A distinctive concept may attract initial attention, but maintaining standards and giving customers a reason to return are essential to building a lasting brand.

A Sri Lankan Entrepreneurial Story Worth Following

Chaiwala Colombo's journey began with six friends, a shared passion for chai and a willingness to pursue an idea during an uncertain period.

For Shehan Sameen and the wider founding team, the venture offered an opportunity to combine their experiences and create a business around a product they enjoyed themselves.

Their experience shows that entrepreneurship does not always begin with a revolutionary invention or a large investment. Sometimes, it starts by noticing a gap in the market, working together to develop a solution and having the determination to keep going when circumstances become difficult.

For young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, Chaiwala Colombo is a reminder that even a familiar product can inspire a distinctive business when it is approached with creativity, collaboration and a clear vision.