On Indian beauty culturists story
With reference to the report in last week’s Business Times titled “Indian Beauty Culturists tap Lankan Salon Industry”, Valoremjuris, Attorneys-at-law, writing on behalf of its client Naturals Grooming Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, has sent the following letter:
“These statements (in the story) convey and imply a false message to the public in general and to the Sri Lankan beauty care industry in particular that a joint venture with an Indian company is planning to open 100 salons under the brand ‘Naturals’ in Sri Lanka and employing ‘Indian employees’ as a result of which the Sri Lankans who are employed in the local beauty care industry will lose their jobs.
Our client has obtained only the right to use the brand ‘Naturals’ for their salons from the owner of the brand ‘Naturals’ in India. Our client is fully owned by its local shareholders and the business is managed by the industry professionals who are all Sri Lankans. All the employees of our client who work in the salons operated by our client are Sri Lankans. Our client does not employ any non-Sri Lankan and has no plan to engage any foreign employees in the future.
Our client established its business with the idea of having a consolidated approach to the salon business, with better business practices when it comes to marketing, operations, human resources management, skills development etc. Our client has always provided secure and safe working environment to the young Sri Lankan talents entering the field, which include NVQ graduates whilst providing them with local and international training opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. This approach has no doubt empowered and benefited the youth of the country. As of now, our client owns five beauty salons in Colombo and suburbs with the local staff of over 50 personnel under the brand ‘Naturals’.
The aforesaid statements in the story have created a false fear among the local beauty care industry that an Indian beauty culturist chain will gain the dominance in the local industry thus taking away the business and employment opportunities from the local beauticians.
Our client categorically denies the false statements contained in your article with regard to the employment of Indian nationals and dominance by Indian beauty industry, and reiterate that there is no plan to employ any foreign national in the salons operated by our client.”
Business Times reporter: The story was based on a letter of protest by the
Sri Lankan Beauty Culturists United Forum sent to the President.