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| Sunday, 9 January 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Vehicle covers need shelter by Surekha Galagoda Hard work and determination are the only words that can describe the couage of Lokuranamukage Don Siripala the entrepreneur and manufacturer of vehicle covers. Born in Ampara to a family of six siblings, his parents were farmers. Siripala has never had any formal schooling except the education he has got facing life. "I also worked as a farmer and after marriage my wife's uncle who was selling vehicle covers one day asked me to go and sell the vehicle covers. "I sold goods worth Rs 15,000 and made a profit of Rs 850. He was quite pleased with it and I continued to help him," Siripala said. After some time due to problems he gave up and switched to garments. "Now I have started the business of sewing and selling vehicle covers. My wife who is a teacher cuts the covers according to measurement while we have employed two girls to sew the covers. I also sew covers on order,' Siripala said. The vehicle covers are priced Rs 1000 upwards and I can supply vehicle covers for any type of vehicle. At present I sell about 25 pieces a month. Siripala buys the material to sew the covers from Colombo and the wife cuts it. His wife teaches in Colombo and his children also school in the city. He takes the material to Batapola for sewing. Once completed he brings them back to Colombo for sale. The vehicle cover is sewn in such a way that when not in use it can be stored in a bag at the end of the cover.It also has a zip. Siripala doesn't have a permanent place to market his goods so on some days he walks miles to sell them. " When I go near a vehicle to sell a cover, at most times people refuse to buy my product without looking at it. This is the saddest part. If they look at the product and refuse I won't feel sad. Most people must be thinking that I am a beggar or a rouge. Therefore if I had a permanent place in Colombo it would ease a lot of problems, Siripala Said. 'Also the lack of finances is a major problem I am faced with. If I have the money and a place to sell my goods I can improve my business and also give employment to more people. If I can find someone to sell my goods regularly it will help me to utilise my time more productively,' Siripala said. |
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