Curiosity creates drive for Kandy supermarketeer

Shirajiv Sirimane in Kandy

The sight of his father bringing home large bundles of one hundred rupee notes, counting them, writing the total collection in CR books and subsequently keeping the notes in a safe amused young Jagath Hewage.

This curiosity takes Jagath to his father’s wholesale outlet, Gunaratne Brothers in Kandy soon after finishing school at St. Anthony’s College Katugastota. It was this curiosity that created a drive for young Hewage to start his own supermarket in 2000 in Katugastota with borrowed capital from friends and family.

His first step to enter the competitive business world was when he was appointed an area sales representative of MILCO and his success enticed him to take on several other ‘sales rep jobs’ including Ceylon Biscuits.

Looking back he said that the agencies obtained from Edna, Highland, Wonderlight Ceylon Tobacco, Gas and many similar companies forced him to take a store on Katugastota on rent. The mobile boom during the time also helped him to obtain several key agencies which also contributed to increase his bottom line.

Due to numerous requests made by companies he took the bold decision to open a bigger store with five employees. “However this was not a fruitful venture and later with additional funds from banks I set up Hewage Super market with a staff of 50.”

With his competitive prices and the concept of buying everything under one roof, Hewage Super Market became a much sought out place in Katugastota. The next step was to launch Hewage distributors.

Inspired by this success he also opened a large conference and wedding hall which could accommodate over 100 guests and a restaurant. This is the largest such meeting facility where even the common man could afford.”

With the ban on polyphone he invested nearly Rs. 10 million to manufacture alternative bags from paper. “However with the authorities not being serious on the use of polyphone, this investment is today a major loss making entity for me,” he said.

Today he is also making paper cups and other related material. However the low demand and high cost of paper is ‘crushing’ the profits of this venture, he said.

He has now rebranded his venture as United Supermarket and is now planning to open five more in the Kandy district.

He also thanks his father, brother, Sanjeewa and his wife Anuradha who is a lawyer and other family members for their support to prosper in his business.

His dedicated efforts did not go unnoticed as Jagath was showered with regional and national awards.

Today with a fleet of over 40 vehicles and a staff of 300 he has bigger plans to expand from Kandy.