A lustrous business developed amidst obstacles

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

NOVELTY: The inborn talent of designing exquisite silver and gold jewellery has paved their way to success. Together they design necklaces, chains, earrings, ladies’ rings, gents’ rings and bracelets.

Sujeewa Rajakaruna and K. G. A. Dayan, joint managers of Tharushi Jewellers, Galle have developed their business amidst several obstacles.

“My husband is talented in jewellery designing. He worked for six years in a jewellery factory in Saudi Arabia. He

 learnt new designs and methods of creating fashionable jewellery. We opened the shop in 1994. While my husband was abroad I did the shop,” Sujeewa Rajakaruna said.

In 2004, the tsunami destroyed the whole factory. “Members of the Chamber of Commerce Galle helped us to rebuild. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Federation of Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (FCCISL) gave us the fullest support.

At the beginning the market was in Galle only. The Chambers introduced new markets in other areas and assisted in expanding our business,” she said.

“Only both of us were involved in the business at first. We designed and marketed the products. As the business expanded we took some workers.

There are four workers under us and there are three outside workers. We participated in `Facets’, the gem and jewellery exhibition. There I met an Australian buyer. Because the designs were good and up to the standard he placed orders and we started exporting jewellery to Australia,” Sujeewa explained.

“Our designs are innovative and new. We have our own designs. The FCCISL gave us a computer. It made the work easier. I do designs on the computer and write them on CDs. We receive orders from Colombo also,” Dayan said.

“We mostly make silver jewellery with stones. We make gold jewellery when only we get orders. Silver is the trend now. There is a good demand for silver jewellery. We create new fashions to suit customers,” he added.

Their designs are popular in Germany too. “Foreigners like the bunch chains. We use a lot of stones for the necklaces. We always use our own designs. It creates a good demand and we can reach customers with innovative and fashionable jewellery that suit any occasion,” Dayan said.

Their hard work has earned them many customers here and abroad. “We also participated in the exhibition organised by the Business for Peace Alliance.

We met an American buyer. He took some of our creations and arranged a sub contract to send our products

 to America. We bought machinery with our money. After the tsunami, with the funding we could build our business back.

We can do any design. Now we have attracted many customers around the country. Now our business is not restricted to Galle. If our business is exposed to foreigners we can do better business. Our jewellery is popular because it is neat,” Sujeewa said.

“We have done this business for 13 years. We do the designs by hand. We don’t cast. The workers are trained well. only those who have the talent can remain in this business.

We hope to expand the business providing better designs for our customers,” she added.