Sri Lanka is on the move now

Shirajiv Sirimane

For Indian born and bred Umesh Gautam, having been in Sri Lanka for many years, the island is his home and India his second home. He feels like going to another country when he visits India as now he has become part and parcel of Sri Lanka and its culture.

The Lanka Ashok Leyland CEO feels more for Sri Lanka as he has been in the country during its darkest period.

“I have seen the worst of the country having been in Sri Lanka during the JVP led insurrection and the LTTE war”.

During that dark era, business was virtually at a standstill and some of the company assets like the present `House of Fashion’ building had to be parted with for their survival.

However neither Gautam nor LAL abandoned Sri Lanka nor folded its venture and decided to stay on as they saw a silver lining.

“We never regret our decision as today we simply cannot cope with the demand and the company is making huge profits. Two years ago we were waiting for customers to come but by around 10 am all our marketing agents are engaged now,” he said.

Umesh hails from New Delhi and is an engineer by profession from the Agra University. Gautam is married to Mangala Gautam, who is a Bharat Natyam exponent and involved in various charitable activities. They are blessed with a son Rahul Gautam who has graduated in engineering from the UK with a Master’s Degree from Leeds. He is a financial analyst by profession and is actively involved in the stock market.

Umesh took time off his busy schedule and pour his heart out to the `Daily News Business ‘Expat Chit Chat’column.

Shirajiv: How do you see the Sri Lankan market?

Lanka Ashok Leyland CEO Umesh Gautam. Pix by Shirajiv Sirimane

Umesh: The market is booming and today our operations are very strong. Lanka Ashok Leyland’s net profit before tax this year of Rs 1.12 billion, a 440 percent increase on a net profit before tax of Rs 207.4 million a year earlier.

This is also evident in the stock market with one of their shares trading at Rs 10 earlier now trading at Rs 4,000.

Shirajiv: What are your future plans?

Umesh: We have obtained permission from our parent company in India to set up an assembly plant in Indonesia with a value addition more than 40 percent. Most of the Sri Lankans will work there. We also have plans to set up a mini assembly plant in Jaffna by the end of the year. We will introduce double decker buses and AC sleeper buses to be used for long distance travel.

Shirajiv: Can you spell out your CSR initiatives?

Umesh: We have several on going projects towards the welfare of families and we also donate medical equipment to hospitals running into several millions. We are also offering our 20 seater luxury school bus at cost to schools and the ones bought by orphanages would have a lifetime maintained by us. They simply have to employ a driver and pay for fuel. LAL has also donated buses to several institutions.

Shirajiv: How do you see Sri Lanka today?

Umesh: Sri Lanka is on the move and we never expected such quick recovery from a country that faced two revolts in a decade. One must thank the vision of the political leaders for guiding the country towards this in such a short time. The development activities expedited in such a short time after the war like the highways, power plant, two harbours and the second airport in Mattala is amazing.

Shirajiv: How do you feel like working in Sri Lanka?

Umesh: Undoubtedly it’s the best place for an expatriate to work. The staff is more than friendly not only in the office but even outside.

The workers are very knowledgeable and this is a major advantage for our factory to move forward. Due to their sheer ability we even take them to work in our overseas plants including in India giving them better returns.

I treat working with LAL not as a job but it’s my passion. I maintain full time involvement and hard work which is not an option but a necessity.

Shirajiv: What is your vision for Sri Lanka?

Umesh: Both India and Sri Lanka are growing at a rapid pace and the two countries should try to have common synergies in some areas. Both India and Sri Lanka can jointly promote tourism for the two countries giving the guests one package. There are so many other areas where both countries could move together.

Shirajiv: How do you review the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka?

Umesh: Firstly I think it’s now a misunderstanding. Sri Lanka should copy the Indian model and have a multi language policy.

Shirajiv: Can you recall an unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka?

Umesh: Well during the JVP `curfew’ time I was travelling in my car when I was suddenly stopped in Colombo and there was going to be a “huge” drama about to unfold. Luckily for me an Ashok Leyland bus driver and conductor who were passing by identified me and got off the bus and defused the situation.

There was also another incident when a man purposely jumped in front of my vehicle and demanded money. Here again the LAL bus crew intervened. But I must say that this can happen in most other countries too.

Shirajiv: What is your favourite place for a holiday in Sri Lanka?

Umesh: I and my family love the hill country for its climate and its natural beauty. But if you ask me for a particular spot I would say Taj Exotica hotel in Bentota.

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