The wide array of products under Pintanna Oud is a celebration of one of the world’s most treasured perfumery ingredients, reimagined through Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Words: Jennifer Paldano Goonewardane.
The world knows Kumar Dharmasena, the right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler who made his mark on the cricketing field. But Sri Lanka’s Pintanna Oud reveals another facet of the man: the entrepreneur who followed his passion beyond sport, channeling the same discipline, focus, and resilience to build a brand from the ground up.
A trip to Hyderabad and a chance meeting with an Indian businessman altered the course of Kumar Dharmasena’s destiny, leading to a conversation that soon opened his eyes to the vast possibilities in the world of entrepreneurship. The encounter offered Dharmasena rare insight into the remarkable agarwood tree — also known as oud — and the intricate, patient process required to nurture trees that yield this precious resin, along with its diverse and highly valued applications.
Inspired by what he had learned, Dharmasena began planting Wallapatta, a species native to Sri Lanka, at his estate in Ayagama in 2009 — laying the foundation for what would eventually grow into the larger Pintanna Plantations, before later venturing into full-scale production. For the uninitiated, trees belonging to the Aquilaria and Gyrinops genera produce a rare and highly prized resinous heartwood known as agarwood, or oud, which is widely used in the perfume and incense industries.
Wallapatta, native to Sri Lanka and classified under the Gyrinops genus, is one such species capable of yielding this precious resin. Oud has long been cherished in the Middle East and firmly established in global perfumery traditions. Pintanna Oud has propelled Kumar Dharmasena far beyond the boundaries of cricket. While he will always be remembered as a member of Sri Lanka’s triumphant squad at the 1996 Cricket World Cup and for his role on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, he has since carved out a distinct identity in the world of business. Today, Dharmasena stands as a successful entrepreneur, cultivating and sourcing agarwood to create an exclusive portfolio that extends well beyond traditional oud oils.
Under the Pintanna banner, he has developed a refined collection of oils, perfumes, skincare products, home fragrances, and soaps, alongside innovative offerings such as a caffeinated beverage and even jewellery — a testament to his vision, discipline, and commitment to building a brand from the ground up.
Oud chips and oils were his first offerings under the Silani brand — a distinctive name rendered in lettering reminiscent of Arabic calligraphy. The choice is fitting, as oud holds a revered place in Arabian culture and Islamic tradition, where both chips and oils are treasured for their depth and purity. Often described as a “scent from heaven,” oud is also said to have been recommended by the Prophet, further elevating its spiritual and cultural significance.
Designed to suit diverse preferences and occasions, Silani oud oils are intense, yet soft and meditative, layered with florals, spices, and citrus notes. They embody a deep, resinous richness that lingers gracefully on the skin. The Heritage oud oil collection’s Ravana and Savera reveal layers of smoky warmth, subtle sweetness, exotic fruitiness, and earthy depth, evolving beautifully over time.
The Silani Artisanal oud oil collection offers four distinct variants – Cobra, Peacock, Butterfly, and Jungle Fowl, each offering a unique sensory journey. From deeply animalistic and earthy notes to nuances that are sweet, minty, fruity, woody, and even subtly citrusy, the range captures the complexity of natural oud. For anyone who values pure, nature-derived perfumes, oud oil is an ideal choice. Just a few drops applied to the skin after a shower, or lightly touched onto the hair, behind the ears, or even onto clothing, are enough to leave a lasting impression.
Its aroma is rich yet clean, intimate yet expansive — creating a personal fragrance experience that evokes calm, relaxation, and a quiet sense of refinement and freshness. The Silani range further extends to seven varieties of oud chips, marketed under the Adams Collection.
Highly prized for their exquisite fragrance, these chips release deep, enveloping aromas when gently heated over charcoal, transforming any space into one of warmth and serenity. At a time when many seek to create sacred, restorative environments within their homes, the lingering scent of oud offers a sensory refuge, transporting the mind to a place of collective introspection, calm, and meditation.
The oud-based unisex perfume collection is nothing short of exceptional, comprising 20 distinctive fragrances presented across three curated collections. Each blend has been meticulously developed as a sensory tribute to Kumar Dharmasena — honoring both the cricketer and the umpire, and shaping a fragrance identity that resonates deeply with his admirers. Among the most iconic within the range is the Unanduwa Collection, named after Dharmasena himself — a title he earned on the field in recognition of his grit and determination.
This signature line is offered under three tiers: Prestige, Legacy, and Elite, each reflecting a distinct level of refinement and exclusivity. At the pinnacle stands the Unanduwa Prestige Oud, the crown jewel of the collection, developed with French master perfumer Dominique Ropion. Encased in a circular wooden carton, the presentation is both symbolic and striking.
The sophisticated casing is adorned with a faint, artistic portrait of Dharmasena, while the ceramic white bottle evokes the umpire Dharmasena: composed and precise. With its thoughtful design and elevated craftsmanship, it remains the most prized and distinctive offering in the entire perfume portfolio.
The Unanduwa Elite Collection features four distinctive fragrances — Tropical Oud, Ancient Silani, Arabian Wanderer, and Adams Peak — each presented in sleek glass bottles crowned with an arresting, unconventional lid: a miniature figure of an umpire in action, finger raised in decisive authority.
It is a subtle yet powerful nod to Kumar Dharmasena in his umpiring role, seamlessly weaving his sporting legacy into the brand’s design language. This ingenuity, where every detail of the packaging is thoughtfully conceived around Dharmasena’s persona, creates a compelling, memorable, and unique selling point.
The six eau de parfums in the Legacy Collection, meanwhile, pay elegant tribute to Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. Each fragrance draws inspiration from iconic native symbols and mythic imagery: the dragon embodied in Makara, the graceful swan in Swarnahansa, the mythical double-headed eagle in Bherunda, the intricate traditional motif of Panchanari, Kandula, the war elephant chronicled in the Mahavamsa, and Kesaraja, named after the legendary lions of Yapahuwa. Together, they celebrate history, artistry, and identity, translating heritage into scent with sophistication and pride.
The Essoud Collection by Pintanna Oud brings the richness of oud within reach for all, offering a unique and accessible range of fragrances. With names like Moth, Serpent, Tiger, Dove, Koi, Dragonfly, and Panther, each scent combines oud with thoughtfully layered tones, from spicy and woody to fresh, floral, and aquatic — creating a diverse palette of perfumes that are distinctive and wearable. This collection celebrates creativity and versatility, making oud an integral part of everyday elegance and personal expression.
The Elite Collection 5ml pack, featuring four fragrances, and the Unanduwa Legacy Collection Discovery Set, with six convenient 5ml bottles, are perfect travel companions. For added convenience, both lines also offer refillable atomizers — the Unanduwa Elite Collection Atomizer and the Unanduwa Legacy Collection Atomizer — allowing you to enjoy your favorite scents on the go.
The Silani skincare range includes body lotions, scrubs, face washes, anti-aging and anti-acne creams, and shampoo and conditioner. Travel-sized packs are available for convenience, while, similar to the perfume line, the range offers thoughtfully curated gift options.
Customers can also create customized gift packs, mixing and matching perfumes, skincare, personal care products such as pillow and body mists, and soaps, or home fragrances including candles, incense sticks, and diffusers. A truly innovative addition to the brand is its jewellery collection — featuring bracelets, pendants, rings, tiepins, and cufflinks — each expertly crafted by blending pure silver with agarwood.
Another recent launch is the Unanduwa caffeinated drink, which introduces a unique infusion of the Wallapatta leaf, extending the brand’s signature fragrance experience into a different realm. By blending heritage, innovation, and the rare richness of agarwood, Pintanna Oud has created a distinctive lifestyle experience that is luxurious, accessible, and deeply personal — a testament to how one man’s journey can transform a treasured tradition into a modern Sri Lankan icon.
Pintanna Oud
+94 76 215 4054
info.oud@pintanna.lk
pintannaoud.lk
Pintanna Oud Flagship Store
207 High Level Road, Nugegoda
Pintanna Oud Rajagiriya
997/8 Road, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Pintanna Oud Moratuwa
Galle Road, Moratuwa
Pintanna Oud Wattala
508, Negombo Road, Wattala
Pintanna Oud Lotus Tower
320, 10 McCallum Road,
Colombo 10
Pintanna Oud Cinnamon life
1, Justice Akbar Mawatha,
Colombo 2
Pintanna Oud Kandy
Ehelepola Walawwa, Raja Veediya, Kandy
Pintanna Oud Ayagama
B Division, Gavaragiriya Road, Ayagama
Pintanna Oud
51/2, 5, Isipathana Mawatha, Colombo 5
Pintanna Oud
45D, Bandaranaike International Airport
