Hemachandras shining in jewellery firmament

by Irangika Range

JEWELLERY: Exceptional designs and high quality gold and diamond jewellery have brought Mallika Hemachandra Jewellers (Pvt) Ltd (MHJ) to the forefront of jewellery manufacturing for the domestic and international markets.

MHJ's Chairman Mallika Hemachandra a pioneer woman jeweller in Sri Lanka believes that hard work and commitment are the successful pillars in her life.

She is still the only woman jeweller in the industry using her talent and expertise to manufacture elegant and stylish jewellery.

Initially Mallika gained basic knowledge on jewellery manufacturing and designing from a foreign lady in 1965. In 1966 her husband Dr. P. Hemachandra went to the UK for higher studies and she accompanied him. Having a keen interest for further studies on jewellery designing and manufacturing, she joined the Holborn School of Art and Craft in London to follow a four year course.

On her return to Sri Lanka, she wanted to commence her own workshop utilising her theoretical knowledge and inherent talents. Following the advice of her husband, she was able to achieve her target by setting up a small workshop at her house in Horton Place in 1968.

While being a dutiful housewife and mother of two, she has utilised her time in an efficient manner at home and in her business without neglecting both.

Though jewellery manufacturing was male dominant she was able to develop the business gradually. At the beginning she supplied her designs to her friends and had a positive response from them.

After her husband's demise in 1977, widowed with the two children, she continued working from home and gained a name for herself in the jewellery industry.

Chamindri Hemachandra, Managing Director of the company has joined the business in 1990. She is also a qualified CIMA Accountant and a graduate in computer science.

Some of their designs

Gradually both of them were able to open seven outlets in Majestic City, Liberty Plaza, Nugegoda, B.I.A. Airport, WTC and Kandy. Today the unique feature in her business is that among the 160 employees in her company, 75 are women.

Hemachandra said that the success behind the business is high design orientation.

The company maintains a huge design base while retaining over 5,000 designs.

"The MHJ comes out with around seven new collections per year. Its collection base contains new , common and traditional varieties. MHJ ties in their expertise in crafting 22 kt, 18 kt, 14 kt and 9 kt gold usually used in contemporary jewellery.

Also popular is platinum, whole gold and silver, MHJ is well-known is the industry for its diamond jewellery and precious and semi-precious stone jewellery. Manufacturing jewellery is a personally supervised state of the art factory in Hokandara. Mallika said that the company would introduce three innovative collections such as carved flowers, pearl and ruby for forthcoming christmas season.

A highly trained team of designers and craftsmen are able to deal with the most official, delicate and the most intricate jewellery designs, surpassing expectations.

Expanding the business, MHJ expects to open its new outlet in Maharagama soon. They are also looking at possibilities of entering the SAARC market.

Today MHJ has become a family business and Mallikas' son-in-law, Asanga Karunaratna is the Marketing Director of the company. Her son Chandima Hemachandra, a Banker is also the IT Director of the company.

She is working in the company for the past 38 years and has achieved many goals in her personal and business life.

Her skills and work have been honoured and appreciated by Government and private organisations. She was conferred the Presidential decree Sri Lanka Shikamani last year.

The Women's is Chamber of Commerce and Industries also presented her the gold award at the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 1999.

Mallika enjoys spending time with her grand children and engaging in dress designing and painting her hobbies.

She believes gender is irrelevant when it comes to business ventures and that a woman can stand on par with men in any industry.