Smalltime printer now sought by star class hotels

Made in Sri Lanka

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

PRINTING: Miles away from Colombo, in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa stands Danny Gunasekera and Sons, a well-known printing press in the area. Several project managers and hoteliers seek the aid of this printing press to make their tasks efficient.

Lakshman Gunasekera, Managing Partner, of Danny Gunasekera and Sons, unfolded the story of their success.

"After completing my studies I took over my father's business. My father, Danny Gunasekera, started a printing press in Matale in 1936. In 1970 we shifted it to Polonnaruwa. That was the start of our 37 year old printing press," he said.

Starting with a hand fed facility now the press offers the clients modern services such as offset printing, digital printing and communication facilities.

"We had our press in a rented building in the early days. After I took over the business I developed it and established it in our own premises," Gunasekera said.

"During the past there were lots of development projects taking place in this area. That was the time when our business flourished. Americans and Canadians were working at the project sites and we did all the printing for them," he explained.

Gunasekera said that they were able to improve the quality of printing at this time. " We advanced our techniques and improved the quality to offer our customers a good service," he said.

"At present we do the printing for hoteliers. Sigiriya Village, Elephant Corridor, Royal Lotus, Jetwing, Vil Uyana, Giritale Hotel and the Nestle factory are some of my clients," Gunasekera said. Gunasekera helps several other industries through his business.

"Hoteliers do not like artificial paper. They like recycle paper. So I buy paper from Maximus and print menus for them. Menus and leaflets are done with cane also. In this way I help small business," he said.

Around fourteen are employed under him. " The labourers are from the Polonnaruwa area. They are newly trained. They are independent and they suggest creative ideas when we get orders. My cousin H. A. Seneviratne also helps me with this," Gunasekera said.

His employees are fortunate as Gunasekera thinks about their well-being too. "I send them for diplomas at Printing Institute. During the night shifts they are given accommodation. I take them on trips too. Because of this they are cooperative," he said.

"This printing press serves the people in and around the town with photocopying. As the Secretary of the Polonnaruwa Chamber I joined the Business for Peace Alliance through which I approached the other districts. I was able to meet other businessmen," Gunasekera said.

He said that he wants to improve his business in the future.

"I am planning to modernise the machinery. With the industrial zones coming up our business can be developed. We have a good future. I have clients in Colombo and Kandy as well. There are new printing presses coming up. I help them also," Gunasekera said.