Unforgettable four in the world of trade
In 1981 the Down Town Duty Free Shopping Complex, the brainchild of the late Lalith Athulathmudali Minister of Trade and Shipping commenced operations in Colombo 3 and took its place as the first ever Down Town Duty Free Shopping Complex in the East. This caused a heavy inflow of traffic from neighbouring countries where they came in large numbers and lavishly spent foreign money to purchase many products at duty free prices.
Within this new set-up the chosen few who were appointed as the first duty free traders were totally unknown to each other and had every reason to be wary and aloof - but it just happened to work out in the opposite direction where we just made friends quicker than anyone would imagine and shared more time with each other knowing unity was strength and then the Duty Free Traders’ Association was formed. During this period I met with some of the most unique and smart gentlemen who were successful to the hilt in every trade they embarked on even while experimenting as the need arose with products and style of business. Despite this they never lost the trait of simplicity and caring for fellow beings. I count myself fortunate to have had their support and cooperation when leading the Duty Free Traders’ Association and can never forget them and thank God for the years we spent in trade and bonded in friendship which is truly unforgettable.
We have sadly lost four very special persons from our midst and I am making a concerted effort to make special mention of them and highlight just a few remarkable traits and career achievements.
Deshabandu D. Eassuwaren who preceded me as president of the Duty Free Traders’ Association, left us just an year ago on January 6. His dynamism in business was equal in measure to his contribution to society. He was chairperson of many associations making the best contacts in the business world and benefited thereby to improve his own trade which grew in leaps and bounds. His was a family business set up by his late father. Due to his own vision he has now left behind a legacy to Easswaren Brothers who are the leaders in value added teas.
Blessed with a strong faith in religion he was deeply involved in promoting Hindu Temples and had much to do with the Hanuman Temple. He was also a strong devotee of St Anthony where during the feast of St Anthony Kochikade we were invited to honour the saint as the chariot passed his residence and it was followed by dinner at his home. He also acceded to a request by a monk to construct a statue of the Samadhi Buddha on a rock at Rambadagala Kurunegala. I would fail if I do not mention that he had a terrific sense of humour and most of the great times we had both here and abroad we could attribute to his wanting to have the best of times with all of us.
Bagawandas Surtani, Buggy to us all, was an affectionate man, gentle and kind, wanting at all times to enjoy with friends and setting the scene for it. He started from the bottom striving to reach to the stars by working tirelessly to build the empire he left behind. He had an uncanny knack of sniffing out possibilities even in the remotest of areas and turning it into a gold mine. We together opened up a shop in Liberty Plaza as the shopping mall opened which I named Exclusive Lines now catering only in branded perfumes and cosmetics. He explored the foreign markets too and secured agencies which made him one of the most successful dealers in upmarket perfumes of our time operating from Singapore. Despite all the success that came his way Buggy had a heart of gold and was a giver and a man of great faith. A gentle giant who won business and hearts on his journey through life.
A truly focused man, hard working, setting goals for himself and achieving all of them, a business icon Chandra Jayaratne left our midst very suddenly recently, leaving me in shock as it was hardly a month prior to his death that he had dinner in my home with our colleagues recalling with much laughter the good old days. Chandra having excelled in school started off in the private sector by working for CIC and later with Elephant House. He then felt he needed to serve the country and joined the army volunteer force in 1971. While a volunteer he joined BCC and left them to join the 5th Regiment of the army as Commanding Officer in 1988 during the riots. Taking an early retirement he went on to develop his own business embarking on distributing pharmaceuticals where he succeeded in becoming a leading distributor, and then went on to invest in estates which covered our leading crops of tea, rubber and coconut. He was also compassionate, ever ready to help and share.
Shelton Kakultota educated at St Benedict’s College joined the private sector from the outset and started his career at Delmege and left them to join Free Lanka Trading Co where he ended up as Director, General Manager due to his honesty, hard work and loyalty. He was a devout Catholic and a family man who was fortunate to see the success of his family in recent times. He also was one who spent most of his time organizing parties, sing a-long sessions etc accompanied by his wife Neliya.
The friendship has been so strong that even though they have sadly left us too soon, the families have now bonded together to keep their memories alive and ensure that Easswaren, Buggy, Chandra and Shelton remain unforgettable. We thank God that we were a part of their journeys.