Italian expertise made Christy blossom in business

Shirajiv Sirimane in Ambalangoda

A Sri Lankan migrant worker who secured employment in Italy two decades ago as a helper today owns one of the most respected environmental service companies in the country. He also employees over 25 which include foreign nationals as well.

For Christy De Zoysa Wijemuni life was not a bed of roses and he learnt all his business and marketing skills from the expertise he gained the hard way. “I am not ashamed to say that I had to take a back door entrance to enter Italy but then my dedication and hard work earned me more respect than what I got as a salary,” he recalled.

Having worked in a reputed company which had close links to the Italian royalty he soon mastered the Italian requirements and after a decade started a ‘cleaning service’ mainly in residences which included homes of top executives, directors and CEO’s of famed companies.

Satisfied with his work they invited him to under take their office work as well. “One of the main advantages I had above my competitors were that my ‘rates’ were more economical and my service was far superior as it had a personal touch.

Soon he registered his company as United Lanka Services in Monza Italy in 2004 and today he services many of the reputed firms in the city. He also introduced a home decorating mainly for gardens. “I always wanted to do some thing for Sri Lanka and during the

tsunami this was made possible. I have constructed over 10 houses in my second home town Ambalangoda which were completely damaged by the tsunami.

Taking a further step in his entrepreneurial carrier he launched Amanda Motors back in Old Galle road Ambalangoda and was soon appointed the dealer for DIMO. To service the fishing community he and then introduced the sale of fishing gear as well.

His major diversification was when he invested in the leisure sector building, the Allegra Lodge, a boutique type property in Nagoda road Kalutara. “I built this to be given on long term lease to local families,corporate outings, and private parties and for foreigners.”

Christy has obtained another property in beach frontage at Ambalangoda to build a second hotel. “I am looking to build a swimming pool with 30 rooms here,” he said.

Not to be outdone, his wife, Champika Handunnetthi who was also like his shadow in his success, taking a leaf from Christy subsequently launched Alle’s boutique’ which may be the only ‘women only shop’ in the Southern province.

Today the shop located in old Galle road is frequented by foreigners , astonished with the rock bottom prices of imported items from Italy. It also attracts host of local customers who have now become repeaters.

The product range of the shop includes branded imported, hand bags, sun shades,garments, belts and fancy items. She envisaged plans to introduce several ‘firsts’ to the area. “The first would be a ladies Spa and this would be followed up by a coffee bar,” she said. She also spelled out plans to expand to Colombo next year. “We have two daughters studying in Italy and moving from Italy to Colombo and maintaining two diversified businesses in two countries, is really challenging but fun,” the duo said.