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| Sunday, 27 July 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Rangith Hettiarachchy Wearing the right shoes
Family Born to a family of eight children - four boys and four girls - in the village of Rakwana in Ratnapura, Hettiarachchy's father was a Kachcheri Mudliyar while his mother was a housewife. "My father disciplined us all and fulfilled any task given to him without any hesitation. He was loving, had a kind heart and was willing to help anybody. My mother was no different. These qualities were moulded onto us from our younger days and it has helped us in many ways," he said. When he was about 16 years old, he had to accompany his elder sister to the University of Peradeniya. This, he said, was done by his father to show him what a university looked like and to tell him indirectly, that he also should be a graduate one day. Incidentally, there are two engineers, one banker and four graduates in his family. Education Hettiarachchy was educated at St. Aloysius College, Ratnapura from Grade One to Advanced Level from where he entered the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. He was also a keen sportsman during school days, establishing a record in a long jump event. "During our school days, even if we went to school early, we were not allowed to play. Instead, we had to do our studies and a master was in charge to supervise us. This helped us, who came early to school, to gather in one place and do our studies. Discipline too was very high then, helping us to be what we are today," he said gratefully. "I did a Geography Special Degree at the university. I was elected President of the Student Council and during this period, we took the initiative to stop serious ragging in universities, which today has borne fruit to some extent," said Hettiarachchy. Career After passing out from the university with a BA Honours Degree, Hettiarachchy joined Bata Shoe Company as a management trainee. There he got a training in all departments including Marketing, Accounts, Procurement, Merchandising, Designing and Product Development. He climbed the management ladder quickly, but steadily. "I attended almost all courses I could find, where I learnt different facets of shoe making, including training at the Bata headquarters in Canada. These training courses widened my horizons and gave me an opportunity to visit many countries," he said. "On many occasions, I got the opportunity of deputising for my company manager. When I retired after 32 years of service, I was the second in command." D. Samson Industries "I knew the Managing Director of D. Samson Industries, Kulatunga Rajapaksa, who invited me to join them and share my knowledge and experience with them. I am presently a Director and Commercial Consultant for the DSI Group." The Group manufactures rubber extruded and moulded items as well as cordials, tiles and garments. The cordials are made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and no artificial colouring or preservatives are added. The company plans to venture into other areas as well. Industry "We have a long way to go as industrialists. We also have a big responsibility on our shoulders not only in generating employment, but in ensuring that policy makers take the correct decisions in taking the country forward." Future "We should explore niche markets and move into them and venture into new business ventures if we are to be competitive globally." Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) Hettiarachchy said: "As the CNCI Chairman, I want to work together with the council and members for the betterment of the industry. We work with other chambers at all times to voice our opinion to the government and make a positive change to make our businesses competitive with the rest of the world". Shoe industry He said there is potential for the local shoe industry to develop as our shoes are of excellent quality. However, to sustain the industry, we have to attract the younger generation, which must be done through school curricula. Training in the footwear industry is a necessity and can be done as we are close to a country with a flourishing shoe and leather industry, India, he said. Advice "Learn everything about your job and pass this knowledge down to others. Work hard, be helpful and be willing to take risks to try out new things. This is the key to success," Hettiarachchy said. SG |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
The ability to take risks, doing new things, learning everything
related to the job and teaching it to others and being looked upon as a
leader together with hard work and dedication are the pillars of success
for Rangith Hettiarachchy, Director and Commercial Consultant D. Samson
Industries.
