Russel's storms with a tea cup
Ramani Kangaraarachchi
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The Russels Catering Department in action. |
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Chairman, Russel Perera |
Sri Lanka 's best quality tea is mainly tasted by its foreign buyers
as the best is exported to earn foreign exchange.
But there is a person who wanted to serve his local customers also
with the best quality tea. Chairman, Russel's, Russel Perera the pioneer
who introduced Russel's Tea Service never serves his customers anything
less than BOP Fanning.
Today he has 80 tea outlets in Colombo where quality tea is served by
smartly dressed professional staff.
He has also expanded his wings to Catering and Garment as well at the
new spacious and convenient place in Borella giving direct employment to
225 young people from remote areas in the country.
When he was interviewed by the Daily News Business on the occasion of
the company celebrating its 20th anniversary, he said "I am here today
in this three storeyed building because of the support of my
longstanding clientele and my dedicated staff whom I appreciate and
thank very much.
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The new three storeyed building in Borella. |
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A uniformed staff of Russel’s tea service serving a customer. |
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Perera showing his old motor bicycle which helped him to
distribute tea during difficult times. The bicycle will be
exhibited at his new office. |
He has invested Rs. 50 million for this expansion. The simple
beginning started 20 years ago with only a capital of Rs. 2,500 and his
expert knowledge and experience he gained after serving in reputed
hotels in Sri Lanka and abroad.
Russel's first job in this trade was at Hotel Oberoi Colombo that was
as a trainee in the Food and Beverage Department.
Then he moved to Colombo Hilton and then proceeded to Hilton Dubai as
a steward where he won the Employee of the Year award out of 900 staff.
He was sponsored by the Dubai Hilton Hotel to follow a diploma course in
hotel and motel management rewarding his outstanding performances.
Then he returned to Colombo Hilton and worked as the Cost Assistant
(Food and Beverage Control).
While working there he implemented his own plan with the support of
his wife.
He got the opportunity to supply tea to Seylan Bank as his first tea
outlet. Later he resigned from the Hilton and slowly expanded to Russel
catering. Russel Catering Service has the capacity to serve 2,500 at a
time.
Russel Fashion is his latest development where he manufactures t-
shirts to the corporate sector. He has supplied corporate t-shirts to
the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Asked what the challenges he has faced so far, he said the beginning
was very tough as he did not have sufficient capital. "I went door to
door in my motorbike selling tea which I still keep as an ornament with
sentimental value. It is displayed at the entrance to the new building.
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Russels Garments in progress. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe |
When questioned for the reason behind his success, he replied, "I am
doing a very genuine and a quality service to my clients. I treat my
staff like family members. I educate them, look after them and develop
them and in return they do a very loyal and honest job. As a result both
the company and people grow day by day," he said.
Perera has created room for everyone to explore their talents and
capabilities within the company. All his staff will be rewarded at the
20th anniversary celebrations which will be held on October 25.
Russel's future plan is to upgrade the service and maintain high
standards of both the service and his staff at all time. |
