Sri Lanka’s first and only health food restaurant chain, Calorie Counter, proudly marks a decade of empowering healthier lifestyles this month, celebrating ten transformative years of clean eating, fitness, and holistic wellness. To commemorate this remarkable milestone, Calorie Counter is hosting the “Live Strong Sri Lanka: Festival of Health & Fitness 2025”, a powerful one-day celebration of movement, health, and community. The event will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Independence Arcade, Colombo 07. The festival is more than a birthday celebration; it’s a national call to action for Sri Lankans to unite in the spirit of wellness, prevention, and togetherness.
Every Step Counts Challenge: A Nation on the Move
The Festival of Health & Fitness marks the grand finale of the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge,’ a month-long nationwide campaign encouraging Sri Lankans to get active, stay consistent, and contribute to a national cause through movement. Throughout October, participants across the island, from schoolchildren and office workers to professional athletes, have been tracking their physical activity. Every step, every pedal stroke, and every rep has counted toward one shared purpose: building a healthier, stronger nation. The challenge has welcomed all forms of movement, walking, running, cycling, swimming, weight training, or even dancing, uniting people from all walks of life under the banner of wellness. “It’s about showing that fitness isn’t just for gym-goers or athletes,” says Duaine Peiris, Founder and Managing Director of Calorie Counter. “It’s for everyone, for families, for communities, for Sri Lanka. Every step truly counts.”
Calories for a Cause
In one of the event’s most meaningful gestures, the total calories burned on October 25 will be converted into a cash equivalent donation to support the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) of Sri Lanka. This symbolic yet impactful initiative reflects Calorie Counter’s unwavering commitment to improving public health and tackling one of the nation’s most pressing challenges: the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. By transforming collective physical activity into tangible social impact, Calorie Counter is taking its core philosophy - “Eat healthy. Stay healthy. Live strong.” beyond the plate, into national purpose. “This event is a celebration with heart,” Peiris adds. “It’s about giving back to the nation that supported us for ten years. The calories we burn together will help fuel the fight against NCDs, a cause that affects so many Sri Lankan families.”
What’s Happening at the Festival
The Live Strong Sri Lanka: Festival of Health & Fitness 2025 promises to be a day packed with energy, inspiration, and inclusivity. Open to all ages and fitness levels, it offers something for everyone, from competitive athletes to curious beginners.
Event Highlights
- 5KM Fun Run & Community Duathlon: A spirited start to the day, promoting teamwork, endurance, and movement for all.
- Fitness Competitions: Deadlift, Bench Press, and Squat challenges, with prizes for top performers and plenty of encouragement for first timers.
- HIIT, Yoga & Stretch Sessions: Led by expert trainers and wellness partners, these sessions are designed to help participants move mindfully and joyfully.
- Kids Activity Zone: A dedicated area for children aged 4–8, featuring movement-based games and fun fitness challenges to encourage healthy habits early on.
- Health & Nutrition Pavilion: Offering free health screenings, wellness consultations, and educational talks from nutritionists and medical professionals.
- Fitness & Wellness Expo: Showcasing Sri Lanka’s leading gyms, recovery studios, wellness brands, and lifestyle innovators.
- Giveaways & Lucky Draws: Attendees stand a chance to win Calorie Counter meal vouchers, fitness gear, and wellness hampers throughout the day.
The festival will also feature live music, healthy food stalls, and interactive workshops, turning Independence Arcade into a vibrant hub of health and happiness.
A Decade of Purpose
Founded in 2015, Calorie Counter began as a small restaurant born out of one man’s personal journey. For founder Duaine Peiris, health wasn’t just a business idea, it was a life-changing mission. Having lost over 50 kilograms through nutrition and discipline, he became determined to help others do the same. What started as a modest café serving nutritionally balanced meals soon grew into Sri Lanka’s first and only health food restaurant chain, redefining what it means to eat clean and live consciously. Over the past decade, Calorie Counter has expanded across Sri Lanka introducing a new culture of food, one that celebrates flavour without compromise, and health without restriction. Each dish is meticulously designed to balance calories, macros, and taste, empowering customers to make informed, mindful choices. From athletes and professionals to families and students, Calorie Counter has become a trusted companion on the nation’s wellness journey. As Peiris reflects, “We didn’t just build a restaurant. We built a community. A place where people could come not only to eat but to be inspired, to start their own journey toward a healthier life.”
A Growing Movement
Today, Calorie Counter stands as a movement more than a brand; one that has shaped conversations around nutrition, mental health, and preventive healthcare in Sri Lanka. Through collaborations with fitness trainers, medical professionals, and wellness influencers, Calorie Counter has consistently advocated for lifestyle transformation at every level of society. The company’s community initiatives, from corporate wellness programs to school nutrition drives, have reached thousands, reinforcing its belief that health should be accessible to all. The upcoming Festival of Health & Fitness marks the culmination of a decade-long mission, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter. “Our vision for the next 10 years is to take Calorie Counter beyond restaurants, to make it a full-fledged wellness platform,” Peiris reveals. “We want to create more opportunities for education, accessibility, and community wellness across the island.”
Join the Movement
The Live Strong Sri Lanka: Festival of Health & Fitness 2025 is free and open to the public. Participants can register for the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ and all pre-event activities via www.caloriecounter.lk. Families, fitness enthusiasts, and corporate teams alike are encouraged to join in, to move, learn, and celebrate together in a spirit of unity and purpose. Whether you’re lacing up your running shoes, rolling out your yoga mat, or simply coming to cheer on friends, your presence contributes to something far bigger; a collective commitment to national wellness. Because this October, every step, every calorie, and every heartbeat counts, for you and for your nation.
