Sri Lankan engineering and technology company ISF has launched what has been described as the world’s first fully automated coconut dewatering system, marking a significant milestone for local manufacturing, food-processing technology and the wider ambition to position Sri Lankan engineering expertise within competitive international markets.
Unveiled on 13 August 2026, the system has been designed and manufactured in Sri Lanka by local engineers under the direction of Anjula Sivakumaran, ISF Director. It has been developed to automate a coconut-processing stage that has traditionally relied heavily on manual handling, thereby improving productivity, reducing labour dependency and addressing operational inefficiencies that can affect processing facilities.
A practical response to a longstanding industry challenge
Coconut processing involves a sequence of interconnected operations, including dehusking, deshelling, paring, water collection and dewatering, with the consistency and efficiency of each stage influencing the performance of the entire production line. Where manual methods remain central to an operation, productivity can be affected by variations in handling, workforce availability and the physical demands of repetitive tasks.
ISF’s new system has been developed as a practical response to those challenges. By automating the dewatering process, the technology is intended to provide processors with a more consistent workflow while reducing the extent to which operations depend on manual labour.
The significance of the development extends beyond the machine itself. It demonstrates how Sri Lankan engineers are applying industrial design, automation and artificial intelligence to a sector that remains closely connected to agriculture, manufacturing, exports and rural livelihoods. In this respect, the system represents the antithesis of a purely traditional production model: established industry knowledge is being combined with modern engineering to create a more productive and commercially sustainable future.
Designed and manufactured in Sri Lanka
The system was designed and manufactured locally, an achievement that highlights the depth of technical capability available within Sri Lanka’s engineering sector. Rather than relying solely on imported machinery, ISF has demonstrated that complex food-processing equipment can be conceived, constructed and prepared for international deployment by a Sri Lankan company and its engineering team.
The system was unveiled during a live demonstration attended by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, diplomats representing key international markets, industry leaders and members of the media. Participants were able to observe the technology in operation and gain a clearer understanding of how automation could be introduced into coconut-processing facilities.
The presence of international clients from Indonesia and the Philippines provided further evidence of the system’s regional relevance. According to ISF, clients in both markets have expressed strong interest in the innovation, while the particular machine showcased at the launch is scheduled to be shipped to the Philippines within weeks. ISF engineers are expected to travel to the country to oversee installation and provide after-sales support.
That combination of machinery supply, on-site technical assistance and continuing customer support is particularly important in industrial technology, where long-term value depends not only on the initial purchase but also on effective integration, training and maintenance.
Engineering led by a global outlook
Speaking about the launch, Anjula Sivakumaran said that the system had been designed, tested and launched with the intention of helping regional and local companies automate their operations and compete globally. The underlying objective, as presented by ISF, is to enable customers to improve their commercial performance while achieving a relatively short return on investment.
This approach places engineering at the centre of business development. Automation is not being presented merely as a symbol of technological advancement; rather, it is being applied to solve specific operational problems, improve efficiency and support the competitiveness of processing companies.
For Sri Lanka, this is an especially encouraging direction. The country possesses a long history of technical education, industrial craftsmanship and practical engineering, yet the full commercial potential of that talent has not always been realised through internationally scalable products. ISF’s achievement suggests that greater investment in research, development and industry partnerships could help transform local expertise into exportable technology.
The opportunity is considerable. Companies across South Asia and South-East Asia are seeking ways to increase productivity, improve product consistency and modernise their processing facilities without necessarily bearing the high costs associated with imported Western machinery. Sri Lankan manufacturers that can offer reliable, adaptable and cost-effective solutions may therefore find a receptive market across the region.
Technology across the coconut value chain
ISF’s work extends beyond coconut dewatering. The company continues to develop technologies for other stages of the coconut-processing value chain, including dehusking, deshelling and paring. This broader approach is important because a processing facility’s performance is determined by how effectively its various components operate together.
When individual machines are designed as part of a coordinated system, producers can benefit from improved workflow, more effective monitoring and better use of available resources. The integration of automation and AI may also support more informed decision-making by enabling operators to observe processes and identify areas where improvements can be made.
Caption: Left to Right – Mr. Raveenthiran; Ms. Anjula Sivakumaran, Director; Danushka Kamaradiwala, Deputy General Manager – Automation and Digital Solutions; Mr. Nalidra Menake Hettiarachchi, General Manager – Designs, Sales and Marketing.
The company’s capabilities also extend into dairy, food, pharmaceutical, chemical and fast-moving consumer goods industries. Established in 1977, ISF has evolved from a manufacturing company into a provider of technology, engineering, automation and process solutions, reflecting the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of modern industrial production.
A milestone for Sri Lankan manufacturing
The launch of the automated coconut dewatering system should be viewed within the broader context of Sri Lanka’s capacity to produce sophisticated industrial solutions for both domestic and international customers. It is a positive example of local innovation being applied to a familiar national industry, while simultaneously addressing the requirements of clients beyond the island.
The achievement also reinforces the importance of collaboration between engineers, manufacturers, policymakers, industry leaders and international partners. When those relationships are strengthened, innovations developed in Sri Lanka can move more efficiently from research and testing into commercial application.
For Sri Lankan engineers and technology entrepreneurs, ISF’s progress offers an instructive example. Global competitiveness is not achieved only through large-scale investment; it is also built through patient research, product testing, practical problem-solving and a willingness to provide continuing support after a machine has been delivered.
The coconut dewatering system therefore carries significance beyond its immediate industrial purpose. It represents a confident expression of Sri Lankan engineering excellence, a practical contribution to the modernisation of coconut processing and a promising demonstration of how automation and AI can be adapted to address real commercial needs.
As the first machines move towards international markets, the innovation will provide an opportunity for Sri Lankan engineering to be assessed not only by its ingenuity but also by its reliability, efficiency and ability to deliver measurable value. If that promise is fulfilled, ISF’s latest achievement could become an instrumental step in establishing Sri Lanka as a stronger regional source of specialised industrial technology.
For further information about ISF’s engineering and coconut-processing solutions, visit the ISF Industries website and its coconut-processing solutions page. eLanka continues to share positive stories about Sri Lankan innovation, business and achievement with the global Sri Lankan community through www.elanka.com.au.
Source: https://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/
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