A single mark made Gamini a business baron

Shirajiv Sirimane

The frustration being deprived university entrance by a single mark drives Gamini Wijebandara from Kuliyapitiya to Colombo in 1988. With just Rs. 525 in his pocket he knew that he can only survive in Colombo for just a few days and decides to hunt for a job. The talented Gamini finds a job in a car repair centre and soon became self appointed chief accountant, mechanic and also at times the cleaner and care taker of the place. This is the introduction of a tale of a successful businessmen who had a humble start to his career. After gaining experience in all fields of the motor car segment and the savings from his meager Rs. 750 salary, he then sets up a mini garage in Havelock town with an investment of Rs. 40,000 in 1991 hiring five technicians.

The success and on time delivery track record soon drives him to expand the business to the car cleaning and AC repairing segment as well.

With the lease of the Havelock town property ending Gamini once again with the help of his father in law moved to a larger 22 perch area in Sri Saranankara Road Kirulapana and re branded his business as, Havelock Wash Bar a concept he experienced in Germany.

With business growing he bought over the existing property and another 10 perches and converted his business into one of the largest service centers in the country.

Today he has several car hoists and has also opened another outlet in Narahenpita in 2008 spreading his auto care, A/C repair and auto mechanical service to that area as well.

Gamini is now currently looking at expanding the auto care segment introducing a complete hybrid repair and service centre. "Currently I am negotiating with a Japanese company to obtain the technical expertise," he said. Moving with the current trends of the country he then diversified opening a travel arm, Havelock Tours and Travels and today he is one of the most preferred transporter of larger corporates including Sri Lanka Cricket. With a fleet of over 30 vehicles at his command he was the transport provider for the recently concluded T20 world cup and the ongoing New Zealand tour.

"I am now looking at the launching the out bound and inbound tourism arm."

Becoming a distributor of one of the world's largest manufacturer of residential and commercial air conditioning companies, CHIGO of China, was also one of his turning point of his business. "With the construction boom experienced with the ending of hostilities I see tremendous opportunity in Sri Lanka in this segment," he said. Gamini is also looking at investing Rs. 50 million in the bottle water segment soon and is looking for a suitable property. Asked if he has any problems in the industry he answered in the negative.

"I am a person who believes that if you are responsible businessmen who pay taxes and fulfil other obligations in time one would not face any obstacles."

On his path to success he too had failures which which he later converted into pillars of success. "I invested in a higher education business sending children to London from Sri Lanka and the Maldives. However my partner played me out and the investment I made was in vain."

Similarly I also invested in a hotel project in Hikkaduwa and here to this proved to be a failure due to the unsuccessful management given over to an entity.

Looking back he said that he was happy that he missed the 'single point' to gain university entrance as he would have missed the opportunity of becoming the businessmen he is today.