Expanding the frontiers of a footwear business

by Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

COMFORTABLE WALKING: He helps people to walk miles and miles comfortably with the slippers and shoes he manufactures. The Managing Director, Lanka Shoe Palace, M. I. M. Pathahulla unfolded the story behind his business.

"After completing the Advanced Level I went to Saudi. Till 1986 I was there. I wanted to start a new business. I collected some money while I was abroad. With that money I started a footwear shop. In 1993 I started manufacturing ladies' slippers. At present I sell what I manufacture," he said.

Managing Director Lanka Shoe Palace M. I. M. Pathahulla at his shop

Dedication and untiring effort enabled him to open his second shop `Orchid Corner' in 1995. "I work hard to improve the quality of the slippers. I buy the raw materials and give the designs. There are about thirteen to fifteen workers. They manufacture the slippers using leather," Pathahulla explained.

"In 2000 I went to Germany. After returning I started exporting winter clothes to Germany. I bought the excess from the factories in Colombo and ventured into this business," he said.

"I give the designs for the slippers. I also get designs from Bangkok. I study about this field a lot and I hope to improve the quality of the shoes and slippers and offer the best footwear for my customers," he added.

Pathahulla hopes to open up another shop in Bandarawela. "I am planning to increase the quantity. My wife helped and supported me in this business. She assists me to develop the business," he said.

"I was born in a small village in Monaragala District. Up to grade five I studied there. Then I came to Bandarawela to continue my studies. It opened the door for me to start a business of my own and come up to this standard," he reminisced.

"After I open the shop in Bandarawela, I hope to diversify the business. I am planning to commence another business while running the footwear shops," he added.

As the Vice Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uva Province, he is involved in several other activities, which helps his business to expand. "Chairman and the Director Board of the Chamber assist me a lot. Business for Peace Alliance connected other Chambers through their programmes. Every year there is a delegation going to Germany from the Chamber. I participate in that. I have also visited Jaffna and I hope to market my products there," Pathahulla said.

"It is difficult to compete with China in the Footwear field. At present my aim is to supply the local market. The tax imposed on imported footwear has opened a better market for local manufacturers. It is a good opportunity for the local manufacturers to develop their businesses," he pointed out.