"Be honest to yourself"

Success story of Wyman Athukorala:

by Lakmal Welabada

Dedication is a key note for success. But that seems to be insufficient when compared with some of those in the crown levels of society. However much people are committed to their work, few rarely get the opportunity to climb up to the top of the ladder.

There are hand picked number of souls who has combined dedication with their sheer 'fortune' which has lead them to reach the utmost success in life. Don Wyman Athukorala is one such elusive person, a 'genius in business'....

Athukorala Group (Pvt) Ltd which is spread all over Pitigala in the Hiniduma is evidence of his prosperity. "I studied only up to grade 4. But I'm one of the top businessmen in this country. Honesty is my secret. I have never acquired anything from anyone deceitfully." Claims Athukorala.

Wyman Athukorala was born on August 4 in 1934 to Don David Athukorala, native physician and Payagalage Nimalhamy. Wyman was the fourth of seven in his family.

"I studied at Haththaka Maha Vidyalaya. My father had 3 acres of paddy fields and a small herd of 6 to 7 cattle. Apart from that he was a native snake bite specialist. The whole family lived peacefully until the massive flood struck our village in 1939. We lost everything, our house, paddy fields...and only our lives were saved. It was terrible.

The villagers got-together and re-built our house, but my father lost his immediate income. He decided to hand us, children to wealthy relatives of his. I was brought up by Handy Mudalali who owned a retail store and a tea boutique," he says.

Handy Mudalali, his wife and their three children were fond of little Wyman who had a pleasant and cute appearance that would attract anybody. "Aney Seedevi Kolu Patiya. Podi vunata poddak vath kammali ne (He is a good boy; very energetic and active)," were the comments the little bundle used to get from everybody. Handy Mudalali's place was about half a mile away from his house so that he could peep in to his family often.

Wyman too was fond of his foster family. More than anything else, what attracted Wyman a lot was the boutique! Weighing goods on the scale, the cashier's cage, the shelves full of retail goods captivated him.

Meanwhile Wyman began to cut his lessons at school as his main interest was the boutique. The school principal who was furious over this used to cane Wyman whenever he caught him trying to cut school. Gradually the school became a hell to the little boy.

He was enjoying the loyal friendly atmosphere at Handy Mudalali's boutique. Also it seemed that Wyman's presence was bringing luck to Handy's family. His business had started to flourish.

After a few years Wyman got another place to work. "It was Peter Mudalali's boutique at Kuruwita. He paid me Rs. 5 per month and it was the first salary I got. I was about 12 years, but could even prepare a meal on my own by then. I worked hard," he reminisces.

However much his family tried to persuade him to re-start schooling 'Punchi Mudalali' was not at all interested and never turned an ear to them. Finally his parents gave up trying to send him to school.

Richel Mudalali, a distant relative of Wyman took him to Lucas Jayasinghe Mudalali, a retail grocery owner and a fish monger who sent lorries of fish to the town. Wyman was just 14 years, but raised the income of the boutique marvellously.

And that was not the only thing. So many marvels were taking place in Lucas Mudalali's business during that era. Everything was flourishing like nothing. It was little Wyman Mudalali's sheer luck! Everybody knew that. "I came to work for Lucas Mudalali for Rs. 35.

Those days onions were given for 3 cents, chili was 3 cents and sugar was retailed for 5 - 10 cents. Peter Mudalali who believed that his business prospered due to my luck, raised my pay to Rs. 150. And one day he got an excess load of fish and asked me to sell the surplus. I earned about Rs. 700 by selling that excess fish in the village," he recalls.

During this time there was a scarcity of rice in the country. Wyman used to bring raw rice from his father's paddy fields and sell it to Peter Mudalali. This way he managed to save about Rs. 3,500. "I then joined a co-operative store run by Arthur Mudalali.

And by this time I had saved Rs. 5,000. My next step was leasing a boutique at Pitigala. My elder brother and younger brother also joined me. We were doing a good business worth Rs. 20,000-30,000," he reminisces.

Everything was going on smoothly until the unexpected disaster took place in 1963. "The flood swept all our belongings once again. I lost everything. And it was the first time I cried in my whole life as what I had been earning was gone. It was a terrible nightmare," he recalls.

Every dark cloud has a silver lining. Wyman was not at all an unlucky guy. Every disaster seemed to be turning out for his own good. "I was popular among all the people including the top level people and businessmen in the area. Mr. Poddiwela Weerasinghe was a Superintendent who promised me to give Rs. 1,000 to re-start my business. But when I went to meet him he gave me Rs. 10,000 as a gift. So I managed to re-gain my occupation successfully," he smiles.

Wyman sold 75 acres of the land and settled Mr. Munasinghe's money within a few months. And became the owner of a 125 acres of property.

"Whole success of my life depends on one person - my wife,Karunawathi" "I had no time for romance. She was the first and last woman I fell for. It was a proposal. My fortune really stirred up after she came to my life. She brought me luck. She has never obstructed me. She cooked food for all my workers and encouraged my success silently".

They have two sons - Wasantha and Anura and three daughters - Sudharma, Champika and Anoma. Wyman and Karunawathie are proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. "Our eldest grandchild is 12 years and the youngest is two years," they say.

"My children studied in popular schools in Colombo, but never lost their heads over money. I'm really proud of them as they have been humble and down to earth up to date.

They are the most valuable assets I have". says Wyman. Wyman Athukorala, the humble- simple man who doesn't know the meaning of snobbishness though he is the owner of one of the top businesses in Down South has this to say in conclusion; "Be honest to yourself".

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