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by Shirajiv Sirimane

Don Carolis and Sons, a small business venture which started as a hobby nearly one and a half centuries ago by the late Mudaliyar Don Carolis Hewavitarne has now turned out to be one of the best recognised furniture manufacturing companies in the region.

Mr. Carolis, a well-respected southerner from Matara was known for his accurate predictions in astrology. He was in high demand from the elite in Colombo to get their horoscopes read which forced him to make several visits to Colombo in his bullock cart.

Though reading horoscopes and publishing books related to the field brought him a fortune, an empty cart coming to Colombo was not welcomed by him. Therefore he decided to transport some of the furniture he was making at home for a hobby and sell them in Colombo.

These items came in for high praise from families he was visiting which prompted him to hire some carpenters from Moratuwa to make furniture in a more professional and organised manner. With time the demand for Carolis furniture brought from Matara grew which prompted the Mudaliyer to buy a three-acre property in Keyzer Street in Pettah where he stared his operations in 1860 as H. Don Carolis and Sons.

He was quick to spot the demand for solid and artistic furniture manufactured according to European styles and he made them available in Sri Lanka at a moderate price. His clients were mainly coffee planters in Ceylon and the elite families in Colombo.

A major breakthrough came their way in 1886 when Mr. Avery, an Australian horse dealer introduced Ceylon furniture to Australia and in 1895 an Indo-African syndicate was formed in London to carry on a large furniture business in South Africa as well.

The latter undertaking led to the establishment of the firm's steam furniture works in Slave Island, where about 250 skilled carpenters were employed to meet the foreign demand for their furniture. This factory still remains with the company as their main factory.

It is also very interesting to note that the timber used to manufacture these items were brought to Colombo through the Dutch canal and were unloaded at the Beira Lake near Galle Face to be transported in bullock carts to their factory in Slave Island.

The firm soon spread its fame not only in Ceylon, but also to countries such as England, South Africa, USA and Burma. Due to the British military occupation of South Africa the firm was also selected to supply furniture for Government buildings of that country.

Mr. Carolis soon upgraded his Colombo showroom with electrical lighting and ventilated fans, to be one of the most talked about places in the capital. It is said that some people came to his showroom just to feel the cool breeze of the fans, which were alien to Ceylon.

The owner who had a knack to rise to the growing demand of the elite community also started importing large quantities of lamps, carpets, crockery, cutlery, iron beds, spring mattresses, marble clocks and almost all items for households. He took another step forward by accepting contracts to build houses.

His efforts not only brought him huge profits but also merit as well. He was awarded the gold and silver medals for furniture exhibited at the Ceylon Agricultural exhibition of 1901, the Paris exhibition in 1900 and the St. Louis Exposition of 1904. The company also won the St. Lewis Gold award in 1925.

Another rare honour came their way when his firm was selected to provide the bedroom suite for the Queen of England, for her wedding.

Even today the company remains a family concern with 52 directors. The well-known Anagarika Dharmapala was a son of Mr. Carolis and in his 'last will' had written his share to two outsiders who are still represented on the Board of directors.

Chairman, Don Carolis, Rajiv Hewavitarne said that the furniture industry today is not as smooth as it was a century ago.

"The labour laws introduced in 1972 are too tough and the labour charges too are very high. The 35% duty imposed for fittings and other accessories also creates problems to the industry" he said.

"However the biggest problem for the industry comes from the Forest Department. Whenever we transport wood we have to go through a lot of red tape to obtain a permit. This can be excused since there is a lot of illicit transport of timber."

Mr. Hewavitarne said that this rule even applies to finished products, which is somewhat unfair. "Whenever we transport a bed, almirah or cupboard we have to first take the lorry to the Department unload it, get it stamped and once again transport it. When we take a lorry to the department at 9 a.m. it comes out only during lunch time. We did make a series of representations to the government last year but to no avail."

"There are cheap imitation items in the market and new products such as plastic and steel furniture is giving way to wooden furniture. But this trend is only among the younger generation and this has not made any impact on us as yet. We are now servicing the third generation of our ancient customers who will never settle for anything less other than Don Carolis furniture."

Speaking about the company he said that they have been doing well from its inception. "Last year when the economy was down we managed to grow by 10 to 15%. This financial year too seems very bright."

The company has now opened their latest four-storied showroom at Stanley Tillekeratne Mawatha, Nugegoda. This is in addition to their three branches in Pettah, Colpetty and Kandy.

The company now has its own international packing plant and boasts of a 30% marketshare and 30% in international import of office furniture. "We are now into furnishing offices, banks, apartments and condominiums."

The Chairman said that the old concept that their products are being catered to the elite has changed. 

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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