The Famous Fruit Achcharu Vendor of Negombo: Tudor Thilakarathne
Negombo is well-known for producing experts in various fields. This article is about a true expert who has been living in Negombo for over three decades—specifically around 35 years—and has served delicious fruit achcharu (pickles) to thousands of locals and visitors alike.
We are talking about Tudor Thilakarathne, who has been delighting our taste buds with mouth-watering achcharu for over 35 years from his small, sheet-roofed stall located on Pitipana Road, Negombo, right near Asirimath Deva Matha School (Holy Family Convent).
From Hardship to a Sweet Journey
Although his actual name is Tudor Thilakarathne, children and youth fondly call him “Isakole Gawa Achcharu Mama” (The Achcharu Uncle near the School). Tudor was born in 1956, and his hometown is Thimbirigaskatuwa. Today, however, he resides in Akkara Panha, Katana.
He attended Thimbirigaskatuwa Maha Vidyalaya until the 5th grade. Driven by the desire to work and help support his family, he started working as a labourer at a coconut oil mill in Thimbirigaskatuwa. Even though he had the ability and the desire to study, mounting economic pressures at home forced him to make this difficult decision.
His father worked as a fish vendor, while his mother was a housewife. Coming from a family of eight children, Tudor was the fourth. As financial hardships piled up, he left the oil mill job and took up various other manual labour jobs. Eventually, he got married and moved to his wife’s hometown, Munnakkarai, in Negombo.
After working various odd jobs in Munnakkarai, he eventually started a small self-employment business selling pineapples near the lagoon jetty—cutting pineapples and serving them with salt and chilli. This business ran reasonably well for about two years. During this time, a few women from Minuwangoda who sold fruit achcharu operated near his spot. However, after some time, those women suddenly stopped coming to Negombo to sell their goods. Realizing the gap they left behind, Tudor decided to start his own fruit achcharu business.
He relocated his spot and set up his little stall near the Asirimath Deva Matha School, where he has remained ever since.
“Sir, I am 68 years old. Even though my father was a fish vendor, I had no interest in that profession. That is why I started doing various other jobs. But I soon realized that working under someone else is not as good as starting a small business of my own, which is why I started cutting pineapples. After doing that for about two years, I realized that people would love achcharu made by mixing other fruits along with pineapple.
However, I couldn’t start it right away because those women from Minuwangoda were selling achcharu at the exact same spot. Out of human decency, I didn’t want to step into someone else’s trade. But after about two years, when those women stopped coming to Negombo for good, I started making and selling achcharu. Since then, I have been right here near the school continuing this business for about 35 years.”
Varieties and Daily Business
Uncle Tudor mostly offers pineapple achcharu. Along with that, depending on the season, he offers mango, veralu (Ceylon olive), ambarella, lovi, guava, jumbu (rose apple), and divul koodu (wood apple powder) when divul is in season. On any given day, Uncle Tudor includes at least three different types of fruits in his achcharu.
Customers can buy their favourite fruits separately as a single-fruit achcharu or get a mixed fruit achcharu of their choice.
“Today, I brought 50 kilos of pineapples, but on some days, that amount can go up to 100, 150, or 200 kilos. Along with that, I brought 35 kilos of mangoes today, and about 10 kilos of veralu. I can’t state an exact daily amount because I decide how much to buy based on the daily market prices. If I bring extra, I manage it for the following days. I have a trusted friend who brings me the fruits I need at wholesale prices. He brings me the cleanest, freshest fruits—completely free of rot or worms. That’s where I source my fruits.
This business brings in a reasonable income. It’s enough for my wife and me to live on. I have two children—a daughter and a son. My daughter is married and has children of her own. My son is still unmarried and takes up various odd jobs. My children, especially my son, will likely never take over this business after me. However, my wife might continue it—I can’t say for sure. We are getting old now, and I have minor health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. The income from this business is what covers the cost of my medicines.”
According to Uncle Tudor, the item his customers ask for the most is pineapple achcharu. Foreign tourists (both female and male) also heavily request pineapple, often asking to skip the chilli and pepper. Meanwhile, locals—especially the people of Negombo—love their achcharu loaded with plenty of chilli, pepper, and salt.
To help him with the workload, Uncle Tudor has brought along a friend named Joynes Lima, a 55-year-old resident of Munnakkarai, who assists him with cutting the fruits. Since Joynes didn’t have any other steady employment, he also makes his livelihood from the income generated by this business.
Uncle Tudor proudly notes that although he has been running this achcharu business for about 35 years, he has never received a single complaint or criticism from anyone regarding his trade.
Visit Uncle Tudor
Constantly monitored and checked by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), Uncle Tudor’s stall sees the heaviest rush daily between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with over 150 people visiting to buy his delicious fruit achcharu every day.
If you are craving fresh, mouth-watering fruit achcharu, make sure to remember Uncle Tudor, who has been serving Negombo for over 35 years!
- Location: Pitipana Road, right near Asirimath Deva Matha School, Negombo.
- Days & Hours: Every single day of the week, especially Sundays, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM / 4:00 PM.
Whether you are hanging out with family, relatives, or a group of friends—enjoying a trip, looking for a dessert, or wanting a great “bite”—if you feel like having some fresh, delicious fruit achcharu, reach out to Uncle Tudor, who has brought joy and flavour to everyone in Negombo for 35 years.
Contact Number:
0729149911