BY MiCHELLE DAVID
In the buzzing Colombo, while explosions echoed through the streets and uncertainty gripped the nation, a quiet dreamer was sketching his vision on the back of a napkin. M.S.M. Rishard didn’t set out to revolutionize Sri Lanka’s dining landscape, he simply wanted to feed people well.
The Dreamer’s Beginning
Rishard was never one for grand announcements or flashy proclamations. While others spoke of their ambitions, he worked in silence, his hands already busy perfecting recipes that would one day feed millions. His colleagues from his days training with an American fast food chain remember him not for his words, but for his watchful eyes, always observing, always learning, always planning something bigger than what met the eye.
The dream was simple yet profound: create a place where every Sri Lankan, regardless of their station in life, could enjoy a quality meal that respected both their palate and their pocket. In a country divided by class and circumstance, Rishard envisioned something revolutionary, a table where everyone belonged.
Building in the Shadows of War
When Dinemore first opened its doors in 1997, few believed it would survive. The country was bleeding, the economy was fragile, and starting a restaurant seemed like financial suicide. But Rishard saw what others couldn’t, that in times of darkness, people crave normalcy, comfort, and the simple joy of sharing good food.
He didn’t launch with fanfare or celebrity endorsements. Instead, he quietly perfected his craft, spending countless hours in the kitchen, his apron stained with the evidence of his dedication. When customers began trickling in, they found not just food, but the warm presence of a man who genuinely cared about their satisfaction.
The early days were humbling. Four submarine sandwiches sold on the first day might have discouraged others, but Rishard smiled quietly and returned to his kitchen. He understood that greatness isn’t built overnight, it’s earned one satisfied customer at a time.
The Heart of a Servant
Those who worked with Rishard tell stories that reveal the depth of his character. When a chef once refused to fulfill a large order, claiming it was too much work, Rishard didn’t argue or replace him. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves, tied his apron, and cooked every single biryani pack himself.
This wasn’t about proving a point, it was about honoring a promise. In that moment, sweating over the stoves, Rishard established something more valuable than a business philosophy: he showed that service isn’t beneath anyone, especially not the person at the top.
His restaurants became sanctuaries of equality. The executive in his pressed suit sat beside the laborer in his work clothes, both savoring the same carefully prepared meal. Rishard had achieved something remarkable, he had created spaces where Sri Lanka’s social barriers dissolved over shared plates.
The Philanthropist in Shadows
While Rishard built his business empire, he was simultaneously building something else entirely, a network of quiet generosity that touched lives across the island. His charitable work was conducted with the same discretion that marked his business philosophy. No press releases, no naming ceremonies, no public acknowledgments.
Staff members would sometimes notice him disappearing for hours, returning with a satisfied smile but never an explanation. Community leaders in remote villages knew of mysterious donations that arrived exactly when needed. Children in orphanages discovered their meals had quietly improved in quality and quantity, never knowing who had made it possible.
His left hand truly didn’t know what his right hand was doing, and that was exactly how he preferred it. For Rishard, charity wasn’t about recognition, it was about the simple joy of knowing that somewhere, someone was sleeping with a full stomach because of his generosity.
Success in Silence
As Dinemore grew from one location to multiple outlets across Sri Lanka, Rishard remained the same humble figure he had always been. While competitors sought media attention and celebrity endorsements, he continued working behind the scenes, perfecting recipes, training staff, and ensuring that every customer received the same quality experience whether they visited the first outlet or the fifteenth.
His success metrics weren’t measured in headlines or industry awards, but in the smiles of customers, the loyalty of his team, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing he had created something meaningful. When business publications tried to feature him as a success story, he politely declined, preferring to let his restaurants speak for themselves.
The Joy of Feeding Others
At his core, Rishard was driven by something beautifully simple: the pure joy of seeing people well-fed and happy. Colleagues remember his habit of quietly observing the dining area, his face lighting up whenever he spotted a customer savoring their meal or a family sharing laughter over their dinner.
He understood that food is more than sustenance, it’s comfort, celebration, and connection. Every recipe he perfected, every service standard he established, was guided by a single question: “Will this bring joy to the person eating it?”
The Legacy of a Silent Giant
Today, as DinemoreGo expands across Sri Lanka, the story continues to be written in the same quiet manner that Rishard has always preferred. The acquisition of twelve new locations represents not just business growth, but the expansion of a philosophy, that good food, served with genuine care, can build bridges and create community.
Nearly three decades after that first day with four submarine sandwiches, Rishard’s vision has become reality. He has built not just a successful business, but a beloved institution that has fed millions and employed thousands. He has proven that true success doesn’t need to shout, it simply needs to serve.
In an age of self-promotion and social media fame, M.S.M. Rishard remains delightfully old-fashioned. He builds in silence, serves with humility, and gives without expectation. His story is proof that the most powerful legacies are often written by those who never sought to have their names in lights, but simply wanted to light up the faces of those they served.
As Sri Lanka continues to evolve, one constant remains: somewhere in Colombo, there’s a quiet man with a gentle smile, still perfecting recipes, still serving his community, still believing that the greatest success comes not from what you achieve, but from whom you feed along the way.
