Be determined and dedicated

Trust yourself and work towards your goals

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

In Sri Lanka although women contribute more than men to the national GDP their participation is much less in many other areas including business and politics. Some women who do well in business are not exposed. Therefore, Daily News Business begins a Women in Business column from this week to encourage and highlight women in business to fill this void. We invite women in business (large and medium sectors to send their details to [email protected] or by post. The suitable applicants will be featured in this column.

Running a business is not an easy task. For a woman it is more difficult. Because she has to take up the responsibility of the mother and housewife as well. However, there are some talented women who strike a balance and become successful business women.

Chairperson, Ramya Holdings, Ramya Weerakoon is a woman who has set a shining example for all women in the country and has strengthened the country’s economy earning foreign exchange despite many challenges. She has won a large number of awards locally and internationally.

Among them are the Women Entrepreneur of the Year, Best Woman Exporter, Woman in Excellence, Priyadarshani Award for Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur of South Asia and Pacific Countries and Woman Entrepreneurship Award for the Asian Region New Delhi.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q. What is your line of business and how did you set about it?

A. My business is manufacturing high quality ladies’ and children’s wear for the export market apart from growing and exporting ornamental plants, cut foliage, unrooted cuttings, fruits and vegetables.

Ramya Apparels (Pvt.) Ltd commenced operations on March 4, 1988. In October 2003 it was restructured as Trendywear (Pvt) Ltd. Ramya Horticulture (Pvt) Ltd was established in 1988.

I entered the business following the tragic death of my husband Major Noel Weerakoon of the Sri Lanka Army during the insurgency in 1971. There was a drastic change in my life. The negative turn of events motivated me to build a life for myself and my children and I was determined to do it independently.

I was only a housewife then but I had a flair for Batik designs and started doing Batik at home for the commercial market. In the meantime, I got the opportunity to attend trade fairs in several countries and found buyers for my products. But I realized that this market will not hold for long and switched to exporting handicrafts. I purchased handicrafts from people in rural areas even from Jaffna and exported. As it progressed I moved to the apparel sector and horticulture.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?

A. I work to a plan. Therefore, it was not difficult for me to handle the responsibilities of my family and business. I have never skipped my duties in both, since I am a well organized person. My motto is ‘be determined and dedicated’. These are the key aspects in my life.

Q. What are the challenges you have faced?

A. At the beginning of the business there was a lot of red tape which I had to overcome to establish the business and progress towards the development process. I took all challenges as opportunities. I regret that the banks at the time were reluctant to help us in our difficult time. However, I was able to pay all dues with heavy interest proving that a woman is always serious in her responsibilities and capabilities.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. My advice to women in business and those who intend to start a business is to trust themselves and work towards their goal with determination and dedication.

Q. Was being a woman an advantage to be in business?

A. There was no gender bias at all when I started out my business. I was sent from pillar to post when I requested approvals for my projects at the beginning. Therefore, being a woman was not an advantage to be in business.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family life?

A. I started small, medium and large enterprises with a workforce of 2,500 and complied with all business ethics. I also won accolades and awards, both locally and internationally.

I am proud of my two daughters who are in business. After they secured academic qualifications they became livewires in the business. I am quite happy and content with my family life. Two daughters are married and my two sons-in-law and three grandchildren are my strength. I enjoy the company of my grandchildren very much.

Q. What are your future goals?

A. We have a few plans to be implemented in the future. Whilst expanding the garment industry, I have focused on the horticulture industry too. I also wish to diversify the business to another industry since the North and the East is free.

Q. What is your contribution to the society?

A. I gain absolute satisfaction and happiness by improving the quality of life of my staff. There are also those who benefit indirectly from our business - rural folk whose lives have been improved by developing the infrastructure in the areas surrounding our factories and sites.

We improve and develop temples and the livelihood of people in rural areas. Every year we distribute school uniforms, books and other requirements for schools in a remote area in the Kurunegala district and provide uniforms to Dhamma School children. Recently, we distributed food items, clothes, linen, toys, sports goods, baby items, stationery and other necessities worth Rs. 1.5 million to the IDPs at the Settikulam Camp.