Thambapanni: From trailblazing Sri Lankan culinary landscape to scorching global racetracks

Thambapanni is a proudly Sri Lankan brand that stands as a testament for anyone with a passion, drive and hunger to succeed.  The nation’s rich culture and entrepreneurial spirit has provided a strong foundation for visionaries to flourish. Thambapanni, once a modest restaurant in Sharjah, has now evolved into an internationally recognised name, thanks to the remarkable journey of the Jesudasan duo — Neomi  and Themothy Jesudasan, an active couple in the Sri Lankan community, entrepreneurs and natural leaders.  

While neither hails from the food and beverage background, their deep-rooted love for Sri Lankan cuisine sparked a journey that would take them far beyond their initial plans. Their vision, passion, and dedication have been the driving force behind the growth of Thambapanni, making it a household name across borders.

Today, Thambapanni serves hundreds of customers daily, offering the vibrant flavors of Sri Lanka to people from all walks of life. Whether in their restaurants or through their delivery network, they bring the island's mouthwatering dishes made with the finest ingredients, each bite evoking memories of Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage.

Thambapanni has also become a staple in the local events catering scene, proudly serving at Sri Lankan school events, sports carnivals, musical events, community gatherings, and private celebrations. Their success is a direct result of the hardworking team that manages these high-demand services with dedication and care.

Community building

 From the outset, Thambapanni has been more than just a restaurant, they wanted to be a community brand. One of its core values is building communities and supporting the people around them, particularly giving Sri Lankan talent in the UAE the platform that eluded them back home. Thambapanni has invested in building successful men’s and women’s cricket teams, as well as a strong presence in netball and basketball. Over the years, they have sponsored and supported numerous cultural and social events in Dubai, always stepping up when a school or event organizer needs their help.

Despite all the growth and expansions around the brands, they have consistently kept the flavours uncompromised and homestyle. Thambapanni is still known for their delicious  lumprice, it's the Ceylonized version of the Dutch origin, served in a banana leaf wrap and  their varieties of Kothu. Thushani’s are big on Nasi Goreng. It's still amazing to see the huge demand for these selective dishes for people who live near and far, it seems they have their own cult following.

The flavours are close to what Sri Lankans enjoy back home as they use the same ingredients, all spices, sauces and power mixes are imported from Sri Lanka. Everything is sourced by carefully selected suppliers, ensuring quality and flavours are top quality, Neomi Jesudasan is the staunch guardian of quality and flavours that is being served, she ensures the what’s cooked in the kitchen has her sign of approval

Thambapanni is on the expansion mode and last year they acquired another belived Sri Lankan brand under their umbrella. Today Thushani’s  Restaurant in Discovery Gardens is wholly owned and managed by them. The Jesudasan’s provide a stable livelihood for over 100 employees who in turn support over 100 families in Sri Lanka.

The team’s hard work and determination have earned the attention of other brands and businesses locally and internationally, many of whom are eager to collaborate and expand under Thambapanni’s management. Negotiations are currently underway, and exciting new developments are on the horizon.

One of Thambapanni’s proudest ventures is the Thambapanni Racing Team. Despite being a high-investment project, the team has already achieved success, winning races in multiple categories across various countries. Backed by a talented group of world class riders and a dedicated team, Thambapanni Racing has raised the Sri Lankan flag high on the international stage.

With their growing expertise and impressive technical capabilities, the team is poised for even more success in the upcoming racing seasons.

All of these achievements stem from a humble restaurant brand that has faithfully served the Sri Lankan community.

What makes Thambapanni truly special is the unwavering support it has garnered from the community, the strategic leadership of the Jesudasan family, and the hard work of every individual involved. It’s this unique combination that has shaped Thambapanni into a brand loved both locally and internationally.