Life and times of a breakthrough thinker

by Sri Sangabo Corea

A little boy attending Ananda College had developed an unusual fascination for carpentry as his hobby, and spent all his pocket money on buying expensive tools. While some of his other friends were collectors of stamps, coins and cricket pictures, this young lad was in a world of his own, spending much of his time, experimenting on furniture designing and innovating styles!

His parents, thought it was unusual for a boy of that age to get hooked on to carpentry but they did not interfere. His father insisted that he should be a doctor but he pursued the engineering stream and just one week before the university entrance exam decided not to sit for it as he felt he was not adequately prepared. This, infuriated his father to such an extent that he stopped speaking to the son for almost a year.

During this crisis two of his friends suggested that he should take up to Accountancy and this he did, joining the Polytechnic to follow the course and choosing A.I.Macan Markar, the well known firm of accountants and auditors, to gain practical experience. This was young Patrick Amarasinghe's second major decision in his life!

After 5 years, he joined Lawrie Muthukrishna & Co to audit the Kalutara and Kandy district CTB depots soon after the bus services were nationalised. When it was time to prepare the half yearly Audit Report on behalf of the Auditor-General, the company's senior auditor, Mr Nambiar, who was assigned to the task fell sick and the responsibility of doing the honours fell on the shoulders of the young and enterprising Patrick.

His report, considered the best, was highly commended and he was given a raise in salary and a promotion - something the young man never expected. That, was Patrick's first taste of success and from there onwards he never looked back.

After a little over 2 years he joined The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited as an Assistant Accountant. Although he was doing a good job and was well liked by all, his conscience told him that he should venture out seeking more ambitious goals.

When the country was saddled with an insurgency in 1971 Patrick began to realise that there was a dire need to generate employment for young men and women. One morning when the situation in the country was worse than the day before, Young Patrick, following the dictates of his conscience dared to venture into an area where even angels feared to tread. He decided to start up his own business even though he had only Rs.65 of his hard earned money to begin with. He started Woodplex as a backyard operation, armed with nothing more than the basic tools.

First impressions

Being by nature a firm believer that First Impressions Die Last, he set up a secretariat cum office, giving it a posh appearance and Woodplex was ready to go with all pistons firing ! For Patrick's luck a Japanese who had been a long standing friend gave him all the encouragement and support to purchase machinery on easy payment terms. He, even went to the extent of obtaining export orders that would enrich Woodplex with much needed foreign exchange and entrench the business on a firm footing !

Patrick, very wisely started using for the very first time, rubber wood which until then was commonly used as firewood. Starting with the manufacture of wooden educational toys he later switched on to producing utility knockdown furniture for the export market. A Japanese expert was loaned to train and maintain international standards which helped Woodplex to become a force to reckon with.

Realising that the domestic market was just as important as the export market, Furni Fits was started, giving its products a consumer-oriented image. "Woodplex toys that Teach" started with just 5 employees and later went on to employ 500 young men and women who did Sri Lanka proud with their brand of loyalty and commitment. The raw material that was purchased from firewoood depots went to transform an impossible dream into a reality and both Woodplex and Furni Fits became a trusted word in the domestic and export markets, ensuring good value for money.

Patrick's next move was to build up the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs who had enough and more bureaucratic obstacles in their way. He formed the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) to fight for the rights of exporters and as its founder President gave the Chamber a brand of dynamic leadership removing most of the obstacles that were in the way. The fact that Patrick was the unanimous choice to be its Presidentr for 16 continuous years is a testimony to Patrick's astute leadership.

He also served as President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce for 6 years, yet another rare achievement.

He is the architect behind the introduction of the world renowned Junior Achievement Programme to Sri Lanka, a subject that has been very close to his heart. Now spread over 300 schools in the country, and almost all functioning at peak efficiency YESL is one of the best things that happened to young students with the flair for dynamic entrepreneurship. With this kind of exposure to professional thinking, planning and execution they are being groomed to play decisive roles in managing businesses in the future.

Major breakthrough

A major breakthrough is that 100 of them are from rural areas. This programme helps children to learn English, teaches them to be independent, to work as a team member and develop self-confidence. Patrick has spent his own money and time in introducing and nurturing YESL. Their overwhelming success is a glowing tribute to Patrick's sincerity of purpose for a worthwhile subject introduced to the school curriculum.

Patrick has been doing so many things for others and neglected his own affairs so much so that he has had no time to take a critical look amongst all his admirers and contenders and select the right partner for himself! He continues to be a bachelor and lives in his countryside residence by the Kesbewa lake, tailor-made for a well deserved relaxed lifestyle.

His house, in a sense has been created with woodplex and Furni Fit innovations that he Patrick himself has designed. His library is so full of his incredible achievements. He continues even in retirement to be a source of inspiration to all those who are in contact with him and come to him for advice.

Patrick Amarasinghe is a national minded citizen who will always have the interest of his country foremost in his mind. He is certainly an example for others to emulate!