FOUNDER OF ANDARADENIYA GROUP (PVT)
This is the story of Dr. W. Jinadasa, the founder and the Chairman of Andaradeniya Group (Pvt) Ltd in his own words
As a person from the impoverished background, I was forced by the circumstances to put an end to my schooling at a young age to support the family financially. As my first employment, I was employed as a field officer at Andaradeniya Estate, on a monthly salary of Rs. 100/-. The position gave me invaluable experiences as it was there that I was able to get a basic knowledge of the tea supply chain from leaf harvested to the famous cup that cheers. I was able to see for myself the many successful Proprietary Planters in and around Deniyaya and my dream at a young age to travel the same path as these successful businessmen and someday boast of my own Estate and Factory.
With this dream in mind, I eventually plunge into an entrepreneurial endeavor as a green leaf collector & supplier with the support of a loan of Rs. 10,000/- from the local bank. I could turn it into a highly successful entrepreneurial venture back in 1982.It was mainly due to the trust and faith the smallholders developed in me as a fair and honest young entrepreneur. Following the initial success as a green leaf collector and supplier, I purchased 110 acres of land at Andaradeniya Estate, which was the same estate I first worked as a trainee field officer. I re-planted entire estate and I was able to fully pay off my loan commitment to the bank within a short period of time.
The gradual success of this estate and my entrepreneurial ambition of becoming southern Sri Lanka’s largest Tea Producer propelled me into the aggressive pursuit of additional tea business in the Southern Province. Realizing my dream, I purchased and developed my own factories i.e. Andaradeniya Tea Factory and Batuwangala CTC factory from the ground up, and now these are among the largest tea processing facilities in the southern province. I thereafter started looking at several closed down factories which were available for sale. Later, I was able to purchase a further nine factories and transform each of these into modern tea processing facilities, thus ensuring employment and income to very many people in the area. As an entrepreneur who has worked with a passion for the Tea Industry, I now offer direct and indirect employments to 25,000 people which constitute the livelihood of over 100,000 persons.
I have now embarked on an ambitious energy project to generate electricity under the name “Andaradeniya Mini Hydro Project” utilizing the hydropower and biogas. As a person without a background or a proper education can reach the height I have achieved, I believe anyone can achieve far greater achievements if they are committed and passionate about the endeavor.
