A G Hinniappuhamy:

Industrial pioneer, philanthropist

Founder Chairman Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd:

Forty first death anniversary on January 12, 2011:

Special Correspondent

Late Angulugaha Gamage Hinniappuhamy, business tycoon, industrial pioneer, philanthropist and religious worker was born in the little village of Akmeemana around the turn of the century, the eldest of a family of six children and destined in the years to come to occupy a very special niche in the industrial advancement of our country.

A G Hinniappuhamy had his early education in the village school of his birth, but the young man’s ambitions were set beyond the narrow confines of his native village. While still in his teens, he left his school and home and migrated to Colombo to seek his fortunes.

Foreign products

His first days in Colombo were spent at one of the small hotels until he managed to open his own tea kiosk down Maliban Street, Pettah. Although he started his business with only 75 cents in his pocket, he managed to carve an indelible niche in a market that was entirely controlled by the foreign product.

The popularity of the tea kiosk led Hinniappuhamy to convert the shop into a mini hotel which gave birth to the establishment of Maliban Hotels Limited and he was the founder Chairman.

Shift system

Two of his brothers A G Wickramapala and A G Jinadasa assisted him in this venture and were the hotels’ first directors.

Always a man of foresight Hinniappuhamy then decided to branch off into a bakery which originally sold bread but later added biscuits to their range.

The first biscuits to be made by this man’s own hands were what was later to be one of a range of biscuits that brought the most number of sales to the company - the Maliban Marie biscuit. Soon it was impossible to meet the demand and he brought down a biscuit cutter from India which speeded the process, somewhat.

Not content with that, he later sailed to London and bought British machinery which he set-up at his first factory at Kotahena known as Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Limied.

Sri Lanka then tasted the first machine made biscuits in Sri Lanka and they were made due to the dedication and single-minded determination of this man. As the business kept growing, operations were shifted to Ratmalana and the Maliban factory was now located on a 10 acre site, employing over 700 personnel, working a continuous 24 hour shift system.

Well-planned strategies

He was not without his share of obstacles, but his well-planned strategies and deep-rooted sense of humility paved the way to success. Married in 1926, Hinniappuhamy had nine children, two sons and seven daughters.

The House of Maliban

Hinniappuhamy’s interests were not confined merely to business ventures. An ardent Buddhist, no Buddhist cause has been neglected by him financially or otherwise. Not Buddhist cause alone, Christian, Hindu, or Muslim, they have all felt the impact of his generosity in good measure and so have charities all over the island and a legion of friends, relations and even acquaintances who have turned to him for assistance.

To all of them, Hinniappuhamy has always extended a helping hand when needed. It was therefore right, that Government recognised his contribution to the life, industry and economy of the country, which it did by appointing him a Justice of Peace.

The House of Maliban which he founded has toady earned acceptance at home (being a household name) as well as internationally for a consistently top quality product, produced at a biscuit plant which uses the most modern technology.

No wonder then that Maliban is looked upon as being ‘a product of supreme quality’ and ‘the pride of Sri Lanka’. Maliban biscuits are exported to several countries. Besides Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd, he also initiated many other business enterprises which generated employment to hundreds of people, some of these being-

* Zellers chocolates industries. (Chocolates, Wafers, Chocolate biscuits)

* Little Lion associates. (Cookies, Wafers, cakes and biscuits)

* Maliban Mineral waters. (Areated water)

* A dairy project. (To supply milk)

He has also donated medical centres, maternity homes, wards in hospitals, community centres, temples, funds for patients with serious ailments to undergo surgery and other medical treatment, to the needy.

Undying memory

He also played a prominent role in the setting up of the Ran Veta around the Sri Maha Bodhiya at Anuradhapura. The Maliban image he left behind will remain a tribute to him and cherished in undying memory. Today Maliban biscuits have achieved international recognition and very recently won the ‘Superior Taste and Quality Awards’ at the prestigious Superior Taste Award 2010 of the Brussels based International Taste and Quality Institute (ITQI) for three of its brands namely Chocolate Cream biscuit, Gold Marie and Cream Cracker bringing fame to the island nation.

ITQI award

Maliban is the first Sri Lnakan biscuit manufacturer to win this globally recognized ITQI award.

The present Chairman of Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd is his elder son A G R Samaraweera and he is maintaining the high standards set by his father the late A G Hinniappuhamy, a great son of Sri Lanka.

Late A G Hinniappuhamy’s 41st death anniversary falls on January 12, 2011.