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| Sunday, 5 October 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Anslem Perera : His cup runs over
Perera was born as the second to a family of three children. His father a government servant in the department of Health, died when they were quite young and his mother, a teacher had to bring them up alone. "She was a strict disciplinarian, but her love and kindness helped us sail through the troubled days," he said. He had his education at St Joseph's College, Kotahena from where he was selected to university to follow a degree in Physical Science, but he opted to seek employment. Career "I joined Brooke Bond as a trainee tea taster in 1969. During my nine and a half years there, I got the opportunity of going to the UK and working for a short time in Pakistan," Perera said. From there, he moved to Shaw Wallace and Hedges as a Tea Manager and within two years, was promoted as the Tea Director. Tea was then being sold as a commodity though there was potential to sell it as a finished product. Birth of Mlesna Euroscan Mlesna was born in 1983 with a vision to reach the ultimate peaks of perfection. Through attention to detail, hard work and dedication, Mlesna has ensured that the brilliant taste and quality of Ceylon tea are maintained and brought to the consumer in the most desirable range of presentation, packaging and gift products. "I started Euroscan Exports in 1983 with 16 people as I liked to do things differently. I wanted to export tea in value added form as most teas exported at the time from Sri Lanka were in bulk form. After adding value to the product with attractive packaging, we started getting the additional foreign exchange which was going into other hands." "It was a very difficult year; ethnic violence had broken out two weeks after we shipped a little tea, but we managed to sail through without getting into unnecessary problems or debt. "Our biggest problem then was not selling the tea, but obtaining bank funding as no bank was willing to help me. Finally it was Mr. McHarg at Union Bank of the Middle East who arranged a facility so that we could obtain credit. "As a tea broker, Forbes and Walker and its then Tea Director Chrisantha Perera helped us and I think, that if not for these two gentlemen's generosity, we would not have got off the ground. Tea Director of Fern Tea Lalin Fernando too helped me to buy tea at correct prices," said a grateful Perera. Tea shops "I had a dream of opening a tea shop at Liberty Plaza, but could not afford it. Mr Seelanatha Kuruppu helped me to purchase my first shop and make my dream a reality way back in 1985," he said. Today, Perera is the owner of the largest network of tea shops, 16, in Sri Lanka in addition to the shops in Japan, Taiwan, Ukraine, Australia as well as the biggest number of shops in Russia operated through agents. The shops sell around 3000 products. Mlesna has created a niche, selling quality gift products and consumer packages apart from quality bulk tea. Exports The company's products are exported to Europe, Canada and Japan. Employment The group's tea business employs around 400 persons with 15 visually handicapped girls employed at the Mlesna factory. Subsidiaries There are three subsidiary companies - Dae Trade International, Orna Fish and Country Cottage Farms. Dae Trade imports flavours and fragrances for the food and perfume business, from Switzerland. Orna Fish, the ornamental fish project at Handapangoda, employs 170 people while Country Cottage Farms, spanning 50 acres in Dambulla, grows low country vegetables. The harvest is transported to Colombo every third day. Procare Insurance "Last year, we entered the insurance business as part of our diversification programme," Perera said. Awards "On the second anniversary of the company, I was able to secure a Presidential Merit Certificate for Exports and thereafter, I got the President's Export Awards for value addition and packaging." Plans for the future "I want to have more tea shops and also expand our exports to more countries." Dream "I dream of introducing a model tea estate, an estate which grows high quality tea. I think there is opportunity for a venture of this nature in our country as we do not have anything of this nature at present," he added. He was also of the view that we should produce excellent teas and eliminate the production of low quality teas. Attitudes "A person, from the time he/she faces an interview, should have the right attitude and be able to adjust to any situation as every job is noble. When you are asked to do a job, do it even if it is not your job. This is the path to success, " Perera said. (SG)
Fact File Name : Anslem B. Perera School Attended : St Joseph's College Present Position : Managing Director Euroscan Exports (Pvt) Ltd and Mlesna (Ceylon) Ltd Wife : Yasmin Children : Two sons |
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Total attention to detail, focus on quality, dedication, hard work and
gratitude to those who assisted him are the pillars of success for Anslem
Perera, Managing Director Euroscan Exports Ltd and Mlesna (Ceylon) Ltd.
