Business Rendezvous

Village boy turns novel investor

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

A young entrepreneur from Tangalle with humble beginnings always believed that where there is a will there was a way.

Even in the village school where he was educated, Sunil Muthumala was a very energetic student and always wanted to know more about things that were taught in school.

His father who was involved in the fishing industry also had to explain over and over again the art of the trade and how it was converted to a profit making venture.

The young boy had on many occasions travelled to Colombo in lorries transporting fish and had hands on experience as to how the Pettah a market was operating and saw the untapped opening for business. This was the reason as to why he did not follow his father’s footsteps.

“I wanted to do something different and create something unique,” he recalled.

This will drove him to construct Leisure World Amusement Park in Aviassawella.

Q: So how did you set up your first business?

I saw that there was a great demand for fruits and decided to import them. During this time grapes produced in Jaffna were freely available and decided to concentrate on apples.

Due to my father’s reputation it was easy for me to raise credit for the import business and since I had studied the market trends import was not a problem.

Q: How do you see the business today?

Looking back I am happy I decided on this business as of today I am one of the top three importers of fruits with daily sales in the excess of two containers. Though we used to sell our produce only in Colombo today there is a demand from other areas and we sometimes send containers to places like Dambulla.

Since these are perishable items we have also invested on a cold storage facility which is the largest in Sri Lanka.

Q: What made you decide to diversify to the leisure industry?

When I was overseas I saw that there were many entertainment facilities that were not available in Sri Lanka. This was how the concept of Avissawella, Leisure Park was born.

The then Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa too encouraged me to go ahead with a project of this nature as it would be historic and would also give an opportunity for the less privileged to experience the facilities enjoyed by the elite.

Q: What future plans for the Park?

We are celebrating two years this month and I am happy with the outcome. Though I have not recovered my investment it is coming to a break even point. I am looking at introducing more rides so that people who visit the place would come back again.

Q:  You have a large extent of unutilised land in the Park. What are you planning to do with it?

Since the Park is frequently visited by foreigners I will also invest on a hotel project which would be built on this land this year. I will invest around Rs. 300 million for this star class hotel which would have all the modern facilities including a swimming pool, gym and a spa. I am looking at a villa type hotel so that families could stay.

In addition the area needs a conference and banquet facility and I am hoping to build the ‘biggest and best’ out of the City, something similar to the ‘Water’s Edge’.

My aim is to attract the Colombo wedding market as the travelling time would be almost the same in Colombo as the area has less traffic jams.

Q: What are the diversifications you are looking at?

I have observed that there is no quality medical facility in the area and looking at building a hospital also within the land available. I hope to construct this in line with the concept of Apollo hospital and also obtain the services of Indian nationals for all sectors.

This would be followed up with a nurse’s training school as they are in high demand not only in Sri Lanka but overseas also. This will also done as one of my CSR projects as I am hoping to provide scholarships to under-privileged youth.

I have not decided as to how I am going ahead with this project. I may even look at an Indian partnership for this healthcare venture.

Q: With these investments are you hoping to list your company?

Funding for all my business is from my brother and my family. We do not want outsiders to come in as we like to maintain family traditions, keep social values and continue with our CSR initiatives.

Q: How do you see the ethnic conflict?

What the Government is doing today is correct. Terrorism has to be defeated militarily before looking for a political settlement. I am sure the success in the military front is because there is clear leadership and the Forces have been ably led.

We see Lankan military using arsenal that are being used by Americans which clearly shows that the Government is serious and they are not playing a political game.

At this rate I am sure the Government can defeat the LTTE this year and hold elections to the Northern Province early next year.

The election held in the Eastern province and the voting patterns clearly prove that people prefer the ‘ballot to the bullet’.

Q: Where do you like to spend your holiday?

I like the South as my childhood days were in this area. If it’s overseas I prefer India as there are so many places that show the history and culture of this great nation. By visiting them we can learn many things for the future.