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| Sunday, 5 June 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Entrepreneur yearns to export bird trees by Surekha Galagoda
Buddhadasa Obesekera is hard working, determined and moreover lucky because though he lost his goods he ran to safety on the day of the tsunami. His father is a principal while his mother is a housewife. He has five brothers. He had his education at the Gampola Galpaya Maha Vidyalaya. When Obesekera completed his Ordinary Level examination he found a job at a toy factory in Piliyandala and was quite happy working there. "But suddenly I lost the job because the factory closed due to a strike," he said. "I had saved Rs. 10,500 and with that I bought a machine to clean the wood and do carvings. I kept the machine and was at home for some time. Then I leased a shop in 2001 and started making the carvings for windows and doors. However, this was being done by everybody and I wanted to do something new, a product of my own". I did several experiments and introduced the 'bird tree' which I launched at the Ruhunu Aruna 2004. It was an instant success and people loved it. But the people who came by public transport could not take it as it was too big. Hence I made a bird tree which can be put into a shopping bag so that it will be convenient for anyone to purchase. The bird tree needs special wood and it has to be purchased from Ambalantota. On the day of the tsunami I went to Ambalantota to purchase the wood and when I saw the waves approaching I ran for my life. I lost about Rs 30,000 worth of stock but thank god I saved my life. I make wood carvings on order while the bird trees are sold at exhibitions. He has registered himself at the Export Development Board and wants to get an opportunity to export his bird trees. He employs seven people at present and hopes to employ more in the future as his business grows. Speaking of his future plans, he said that he would be opening another shop in Hambantota soon. He hopes to move to Hambantota as the raw materials needed for his trade are freely available there. He also wants to manufacture wall hangings and montessori items which have a very good market. |
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