Anchala Ishani Kuruppu
Director, Argyle Textiles
Anchala Kuruppu is a scientist and has a doctorate in cancer pharmacology. She has earned two bachelor’s degrees in natural sciences and information technology and also a masters in cancer biology from United Kingdom. While studying information technology she completed industrial training in the textile and clothing industry where she received practical experiences in this industry. Her father is an eminent figure in the textile and clothing industry as such, from childhood Anchala was exposed to this field.
After Anchala’s father’s retirement in 2019, they both started a small-scale textile business named Argyle Textiles. They started this business at a time where the textile industry has ceased in Sri Lanka, and they wanted to assist in uplifting this industry even in a small way. Argyle Textiles manufactures pure cotton textiles such as bed linen, tablecloths, serviettes, table runners, cushion covers, towels, curtaining, and also ladies’ sarees and mens’ sarongs. One of the objectives of this initiative is to use some of profits to help the cancer patients in Sri Lanka. Nearly half of Argyle designs have a Sri Lankan traditional look with vibrant colours. They are also manufactured as limited editions which are exclusive and unique.