Swadeshi gets injunction order against Vendol Venivel for Khomba soap

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, manufacturer of Khomba herbal beauty soap for seven decades obtained an enjoining order against ‘Kohmba soap’ manufactured by Vendol Venivel Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. and Godakanda Herbals (Pvt.) Ltd. from the Commercial High Courts, Colombo on 2 August.  

Swadeshi is the proud owner and producer of Khomba herbal soap, the market leader for the above category for seven decades and using the popularity gained by Khomba herbal soap, Vendol Venivel, the accused has produced another soap brand with similar packaging to Khomba.

The Swadeshi Industrial Works filed a case against Vendol Venivel and Godakanda Herbals for launching a product using packaging similar to Khomba herbal soap of Swadeshi. The Colombo Commercial High Court’s enjoining order prevents the accused of producing, distributing and marketing Kohmba soap under similar packaging and thus misleading and deceiving the consumers and the public.

After considering the initial complaint by Swadeshi Industries, the Colombo Commercial High Court judge imposed an injunction order against the accused reasoning that the product from the accused is similar to the Khomba herbal soap manufactured by Swadeshi and to preclude using the packaging as well.

The pioneer and market leader in the herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works, was incorporated in 1941.  Among the pioneer brands of the 100 per cent Sri Lankan owned company are Khomba Herbal, Khomba Baby, RaniSandalwood, Safeplus, ApsaraVenivel, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Lady perfume and Black Eagle perfume and after shave and the Swadeshi shower gel range. The company manufactures and markets the top herbal soap brand Khomba Herbal and the heritage beauty soap brand Rani Sandalwood.

Lawyers Prasanna Jayawardena, Kavinda Dias Abeysinghe and Manisha Yasarathne presented the plaintiff under the instructions of Mahinda Wickramarathne.