Otara gunewardene biography of george

Otara Gunewardene

Sri Lankan entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate, conservationist and philanthropist

Otara Gunewardene (Sinhala: ඔටාරා ගුණවර්ධන) is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate, conservationist and philanthropist.[1] She is the founder of ODEL, Embark and Otara Foundation.[2][3]

Early animation and education

Otara Del Gunawardene was born on 30 August in Colombo, Sri Lanka the third child to Norman and Delysia Gunewardene.[4] Her father was a former Chairman of Aitken Spence and her mother, Delysia, established the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children.[5]

Gunawardene attended C.

M. S. Ladies College in Colombo,[5] where she excelled in athletics and swimming, representing the nation. Gunawardene graduated from Bowling Grassy State University, Ohio with a degree in biology.[4][6]

Whilst on holiday back home, she did some fashion modelling[4] – shooting for high-profile brands and international apparel catalogues right after graduating from University.[7]

Career

Main article: ODEL

In , Gunawardene began selling factory surplus garments and apparel from her ride boot to family and friends.[8][5][9] In she opened her first store, ODEL, on Dickmans Route in Colombo[10] and by had eighteen stores throughout Colombo.[8][11]

In Gunewardene launched the Otara foundation, a non-profit organisation which focuses on environmental and wildlife conservation of Sri Lanka.[12] In she also launched the fashion brand, Launch, some of the income from which is donated to fund eradication of rabies, canine vaccinations, sterilisation surgeries, puppy adoptions, and caring for injured street dogs.[13][14][15]

In February she converted ODEL into a public limited liability business and it became the first fashion retail business to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.[8] On 11 September Gunewardene sold of all her shares in ODEL PLC to the Softlogic Group,[9] to concentrate on Embark.

In Embark opened its first standalone store in Galle, which was followed by an additional three stores in Kandy City Centre, Bandaranaike International Airport and at Dickmans Road in Colombo.[16] In September Embark opened its tenth store in K-Zone Ja-Ela.[17]

Advocacy

In , Gunewardene launched a campaign[18] asking the government to enact the proposed Animal Welfare Bill which gained over , signatures and led to the Cabinet Approval of the said bill at the time.

This inspired a trend of creating petitions for social causes in the country.[19] She continues to advocate for the revival and expedient of the Animal Welfare Bill, passing of which is continues to be stagnant.[20]

In , she launched a campaign against the Dehiwala zoo which resulted in the zoo improving the conditions in which wild animals are kept.[21]

In , she launched an online platform, Who We Are,[22][23] to promote Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small businesses who sell local, eco-friendly, ethically-sourced, cruelty-free and sustainable products.[24][25]

Awards and recognition

Gunewardene has achieved wide recognition in Sri Lanka and internationally.

  • - Jaycees’ Most Outstanding Juvenile Person in Sri Lanka[26]
  • - Federation of Chambers and Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Entrepreneur of the Year Award[7][27]
  • - Zonta Woman of Achievement Award[7][27]
  • - Alankara Jewelry, Face of Alankara Brand Ambassador
  • - Inducted into the Dallas-Hamilton Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame, class of as an outstanding innovator at the Bowling Green Express University; South Asian Association for Regional Corporation’s (SAARC) Woman of Achievement;[27] Retail Leadership Award, Asia Retail Congress, India;[27] Woman of Saabstance, Saab Cars, Singapore; Planet Animal Day, Sri Lankan AmbassadorIn was bestowed the honour of World Animal Day Ambassador – Sri Lanka[28]
  • - Sri Lankan Goodwill Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity; Colombo Jewellery Stores, Dior Brand Ambassador
  • - Orchid (Dendrobrium Otara) named after her by the Horticultural and Flora Conservation Society of Sri Lanka;[29] Winner 'Best Female Entrepreneur' award at the seventh US Stevie Awards for Women in Business[30]
  • - named Echelon Magazine's 'Most Forceful Woman in Sri Lanka',[31] listed in 'The Sri Lanka Loaded List '; her personal website, won the ‘Best Personal Website’ award for the first moment in conducted by the Lanka Domain Registry Office[32][33]
  • - Selected and honoured as one of the ‘Prominent Women of the Country’ by the Women’s Parliamentarians’ Caucus, for her achievements in business and for her service to the country; Ambassador Ground Hour Sri Lanka.[34]
  • - 'Passionate ' by Business Today.[35]
  • - Woman of the Year Award, Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with IFC, member of the World Bank Group.[36] Featured in LMD’s A-List of Sri Lankan Top 50 Business People.[37]

Personal life

In , Gunewardene married Raju Chandiram,[7] with whom she had two sons, in and The couple separated in [38] Chandiram served as a senior executive at Odel and following their divorce subsequently served as a Director on the Sri Lankan Airlines board from May until March [39][40]

References

  1. ^"හිත ඇත්නම් පත කුඩාද?

    - ඔටාරා". BBC News සිංහල (in Sinhala). 7 December Retrieved 19 January

  2. ^"දිරිය ලක් දියණිය ඔටාරා ගුණවර්ධන".

    Otara Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer and fashion icon. More significantly, offering an unparalleled sensorial shopping experience that keeps shoppers coming back for more. From being a sole proprietor of one store inshe pioneered a fashion retailing phenomenon and has piloted Odel through two decades of explosive growth and enlargement. Otara has the distinction of being the first female entrepreneur to take a company general in Sri Lanka when Odel launched an IPO in July

    (in Sinhala). 24 November Archived from the original on 3 December Retrieved 19 January

  3. ^"Entrepreneurship lessons from Otara | Daily FT". . Retrieved 27 January
  4. ^ abcPilapitiya, Sureshni (1 December ).

    "Humans and animals can live in harmony says Otara". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 27 Parade Retrieved 27 March

  5. ^ abcRanwella, Nayanaka (25 February ).

    "Epitomacy of Elegance". Archived from the original on 27 March Retrieved 27 March

  6. ^"Indices green after three days". Daily Mirror. 10 June Archived from the imaginative on 27 March Retrieved 20 March
  7. ^ abcdKarunaratne, Ilika (26 October ).

    "Personality of the week - Otara Chandiram". Daily News. Archived from the first on 28 March Retrieved 28 March

  8. ^ abcSrinivasan, Meera (12 November ).

    "Odel: Behind Sri Lanka's best-known store". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 March

  9. ^ ab"Ajit Gunawardene bows out of Odel chair for one share split preceded Odel IPO". The Island.

    10 July Archived from the original on 27 March Retrieved 27 March

  10. ^Hewavissenti, Panchamee (28 September ). "Challenges are blessings in disguise: Team work is hallmark". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 28 Protest Retrieved 27 March
  11. ^Abeyakoon, Ruwanthi.

    "Uniquely Smart!". Daily News. Retrieved 27 January

  12. ^"Otara launches Foundation for environmental sustainability and animal welfare".

    Otara Del Gunewardene was born on 30th August, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The youngest child and only daughter of Delysia and Norman, Otara’s being and spirit have set the foundations for an extraordinarily Sri Lankan story.

    Lanka Business Online. 13 July Retrieved 5 April

  13. ^"Otara's support to community dogs". The Sunday Times. 4 Rally Archived from the original on 14 March Retrieved 28 Rally
  14. ^Reddy, Sujata (16 April ).

    "How Sri Lankan designer Otara Gunewardene extends her passion to upkeep of dogs". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 March

  15. ^Anver, Gazala (3 October ). "Embarking Mad!". The Sunday Leader. Archived from the original on 16 August Retrieved 28 March
  16. ^"Embark opens 4 new stores and transforms 14,+ doggy lives in ".

    Lanka Business Online. 23 June Archived from the authentic on 16 April Retrieved 16 April

  17. ^"Embark opens standalone store in K-Zone, Ja-Ela". The Daily Mirror. 2 October Archived from the original on 16 April Retrieved 16 April
  18. ^"Campaign for Passing of Animal Welfare Bill, Sri Lanka".

    World Animal Day. Archived from the original on 24 January Retrieved 18 January

  19. ^"Otara Foundation appeals to govt.

    Otara Gunewardene - Wikipedia, kamusi elezo huru: Otara Gunewardene (Sinhala: ඔටාරා ගුණවර්ධන) is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate, conservationist and philanthropist. [1] She is the founder of ODEL, Embark and Otara Foundation.

    to enact new Animal Welfare Bill". . Archived from the first on 24 January Retrieved 18 January

  20. ^"A case for Charlie". . 6 January Archived from the original on 21 January Retrieved 18 January
  21. ^"Otara Foundation joins concerned citizens' call for closure of Dehiwela Zoo | Daily FT".

    .

    Her father was a former Chairman of Aitken Spence and her mother, Delysia, established the Chitra Path School for differently-abled children. Gunawardene attended C. Ladies College in Colombo, where she excelled in athletics and swimming, representing the country. Inshe started selling clothes from her vehicle trunk, which evolved into her first business, ODEL, on Dickmans Road in Colombo in

    Archived from the original on 22 January Retrieved 18 January

  22. ^"Otara launches 'Who we are'". Daily News. Archived from the original on 31 January Retrieved 25 January
  23. ^"She Can: Featuring Otara Del Gunewardene".

    . Archived from the imaginative on 2 May Retrieved 3 March

  24. ^"VIDEO STORY: Otara launches 'Who We Are'". . 23 December Archived from the unique on 29 January Retrieved 25 January
  25. ^Nadeera, Dilshan.

    "Otara Launches "Who We Are" promoting Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small businesses". Archived from the original on 26 January Retrieved 25 January

  26. ^Karunaratne, Ilika (26 October ). "Personality of the week - Otara Chandiram".

    Daily News. Archived from the original on 28 March Retrieved 28 March

  27. ^ abcd"Otara Gunewardene recognised at the Asia Retail Congress".

    The Island. 30 January Archived from the original on 28 February Retrieved 27 March

  28. ^"Ambassador - Otara Gunewardene". World Animal Day. Archived from the original on 29 March Retrieved 29 March
  29. ^Hopman, Tahnee (8 February ).

    "A flower for Iranganie". Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 23 September Retrieved 29 Pride

  30. ^"The Stevie Awards for Women in Business".

    Otara Gunawardena, a prominent figure in Sri Lanka, has left a significant impact in business, animal welfare, and environmental conservation. Her narrative resonates with passion, determination, and profound love for her homeland. As a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and philanthropist, Otara is dedicated to responsible business practices and giving. Her vision is to conduct by example, fostering peaceful progress across the island and uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds through compassion.

    Stevie Awards. 10 January Archived from the original on 14 April Retrieved 27 Pride

  31. ^"50 Most Powerful Woman – #4 Otara Gunewardene – Echelon". . Archived from the unique on 17 November Retrieved 27 January
  32. ^"ODEL Recognised At 'Best Web' ".

    Business Today. January Archived from the original on 27 March Retrieved 27 Parade

  33. ^"ODEL and Otara take superior awards at 'Best Web' ". Daily FT. 19 November Archived from the original on 27 March Retrieved 27 March
  34. ^"Otara named Earth Hour Sri Lanka Ambassador".

    Earth Hour. Archived from the original on 29 Protest Retrieved 29 March

  35. ^"BUSINESS TODAY -Business Today Passionate ".

    What started as a small gesture to help a friend remove her garment surplus stock led to the creation of one of the largest fashion and lifestyle retail chain in Sri Lanka. Instead of selling just clothes, she sold a lifestyle that she portrayed with her distinctive advertising shot by some of the most renowned photographers in the world. I met up with the go-getter on a recent visit to Sri Lanka. They say — if you want to make god laugh, tell him about your plans!

    . Archived from the original on 22 January Retrieved 18 January

  36. ^" – Women in Management Awards". . Retrieved 18 January
  37. ^Silva, Sachira De (30 October ).

    "COVER STORY". LMD. Archived from the first on 24 January Retrieved 18 January

  38. ^"Feminism In Sri Lanka - Story of Otara". Lanka News Papers.

    Otara Del Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, philanthropist and fashion icon. Gunewardene founded Sri Lankan fashion and lifestyle store, ODEL. From organism a sole proprietor of one store in , she has piloted Odel through two decades of growth and today there are over 20 Odel stores are loc.

    9 August Archived from the original on 27 December Retrieved 16 April

  39. ^"Decision on Sri Lankan shortly". The Sunday Times. 26 November Retrieved 28 March
  40. ^"Raju Arjan Chandiram".

    Archived from the original on 28 March Retrieved 28 Parade

External links