Tastefully designed crafts

Giving life to Lanka's minerals:

By Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

He started out as a geologist with the Geological Survey Department. Along the way, while acquainting himself with the country's mineral riches and their exact geological locations, he also studied gemmology and diversified his interests and skills set. He later joined the Export Development Board where he learned first hand the dynamics of markets and how they worked.

A.A. Ranjith L. Dias

"Before that I was only a scientist" says A.A. Ranjith L. Dias, now a millionaire businessman, as much in demand for his writings and lectures as for his famous products which Government ministers buy as ideal Sri Lankan gifts to present to foreign dignitaries. In 1987, he joined the Mahaweli Authority Enterprise Development Division, where over a period of 11 years, he was tasked with developing various craft industries based on minerals and other natural resources in the Mahaweli area. Here he understood firsthand, the challenges of entrepreneurship.

When he founded his now famous Ran Ruwan Enterprise, specialists in sand / mineral crafted interior decorations and giftware in 1994, Ranjith was only 39 years.

"People should have a background of knowledge and experience, to achieve something" he says. "Many people think they can make a go of things without having any background in it."

However he also doesn't advocate that people stay within their narrow confines of abilities or expertise and not try to expand themselves.

"My own business for example combines both science and art. We should try to combine our talents and make the most of ourselves," he says. As a matter of fact, though an accomplished and experienced geologist, going into the business of artistic handicrafts was rather brave of him. "I was the only one in my family who had no artistic talents whatsoever. My brothers and sisters all used to laugh at me. When we first started out, I could do only basic patchwork drawing. I used that patchwork to design mineral lamps and today, 17 years later those lamps still sell like hot cakes."

He has a team of craftsmen and artists working under him now but Ranjith is still the main contributor in the design of his products in addition to being the brains behind their scientific technology. The mainline products consist of lamps, portraits, drawings, costume jewellery and statues. They have also expanded into architectural products such as walls and floors; the only common factor between the products is that they are all made from Sri Lanka's natural minerals / sand. According to Ranjith, when he first started out 17 years ago, he was the first and only one in his field, though he now has a few competitors. Apparently the idea was completely new, even in neighbouring India and when he held an exhibition of his products in Bangalore, he was approached by the Bangalore Geological Department to be a consultant for them. When he started out 17 years ago, he says he just felt the need to fulfil himself as a person as well as give something back to his country - so he decided to put his own knowledge and training to good use and showcase the country's minerals.

Now that he has paved the way and shown how successful one can become with these kinds of products however, others are following suit. He cautions them against using the minerals carelessly and depleting the country's natural resources.

"We use waste minerals and dust mostly, for our own products. We buy raw materials in kilograms and grams not cubes and tonnes. What we do is use technology to effectively use minimal amounts of minerals as well as give value addition to mineral wastes," says Ranjith. Among the many awards he has won are the Presidential Financial Award for Innovation in 1999, for the commercialization of mineral wastes, the National Science and Technology Award in 2006, for the value addition of minerals and the Best Architectural Products Award from the Institute of Architects in 2007.

When he started out, he had only his own expertise and experience to rely on, two factors he still relies on.

All the technology for extracting and using the minerals effectively and efficiently were developed in house according to Ranjith. He of course is the main brains behind the operation but now his two sons, also trained in geology and gemmology are ready to take over from him. At the age of 56, he feels ready to move on. He wishes to concentrate on his writing so that the knowledge he has acquired over the years may be recorded and shared with as many as possible.

"We have developed a huge amount of resources over the years and I wish to share my knowledge and experiences with others," he says. He started out with a small shop in Majestic City, and has now expanded to two more at the Bandaranaike International Airport, which does brisk business with both tourists and locals.

He exports his products all over the world and he says of all his awards, this is what he considers the most rewarding; the appreciation of the people. Ranjith is retiring this year from his business, not because he thinks old age has set in and he need not strive any more but because he is set to embark on a new phase of exploration and experiences in his life.