Lumbini Aquaria Wayamba Limited, a pioneer ornamental fish exporter in Sri Lanka, has won the prestigious Arch of Europe award for quality and technology, a press release said.

The award, presented by Business Initiative Directions (BID) in Frankfurt, recognizes "immeasurable contribution to the business world, high standing and professionalism demonstrated by prestigious performance." Lumbini was the only company from Sri Lanka to win the award at a gala ceremony attended by business leaders from 53 countries recently.

"This is a giant stride not just for Lumbini, but for the ornamental fish sector in Sri Lanka and worldwide," the company’s Managing Director Vibhu Perera said. He said that this was the first time in history that an ornamental fish exporter had won the Arch of Europe, in competition with more than 80 companies from diverse sectors.

The award also spurs Lumbini Aquaria, a BOI company, with 100 TQM (Total Quality Management) points towards an initiative by the company to secure ISO 9000 accreditation, Perera said. According to BID, the awarded companies are symbols of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation, which make them models for other companies in their sectors.

Lumbini Aquarium was established in 1952, and became the first exporter of ornamental fish in Sri Lanka. It was once described as the largest tropical fish exporter in the world by the author of "The Fish Atlas" and "Tropical Fish Hobbyist" Dr. Herbert Axelrod. The Company introduced the concept of outgrowing tropical fish to Sri Lanka in 1987. Subsequent to the incorporation of Lumbini Aquaria Wayamba set as a BOI venture, the Company breeds and outgrows fresh water fish and exports more than 250 varieties of marine, freshwater and brackish water fish and aquatic plants.

Lumbini has also won the Grand Champion Trophy consecutively (in 1995 and 1997) for the Best Guppy, at Aquarama, the tropical fish industry’s major bi-annual international trade show and exhibition in Singapore. In 1999, Lumbini also won the trophy for the Best Platy and two trophies in the Tuxedo Guppy categories.