The tale of the Dragon Fruit is an interesting one and its central character, Manoj Kariyawasam is a retired military officer. He is from Bulathsinhala in Horana area. In his retirement he has engaged with several business enterprises but his intention deep inside was to start his own business to help develop the country.  He decided to grow Dragon Fruits, which was a difficult task and no one was dare to venture into.

Manoj traveled to Thaivan in a historic mission to collect information and study about growing Dragon Fruits. After fulfilling his objective he returned home determined to start his pet project with whatever means. A suitable land and sufficient funds are needed for this venture.

After starting his cultivation on a two acre land at Mudungoda in Gampaha in 1995, by 2006 he obtained BOI approval and laid foundations for a 100 acre land span. He has obtained financial assistance from the Lnkaputhra Bank. As Manoj says he has tried several banks for finances but those attempts have not been productive. However he was undeterred. Otherwise he would not have become a successful entrepreneur. Manoj, one of the pioneer customers of the Lankaputhra Bank, pays his loan installments on time without fail and he believes that it is the secret behind his success.  

Manoj uses organic fertilizer on a regular basis and such products enjoy higher prices in the market. This has prompted Manoj to go for 100% organic fertilizer. He gains a yield of 35 Metric Tons a Hectare. Thaivan, the premier country growing Dragon Fruits in world yields only 31 Metric Tons per Hectare using chemical fertilizer. This proves the fact that organic fertilizer yields better. 
 
Manoj has applied for the quality assurance certificate of the European Union and now it is being processed. Mnoj’s one and only objective is to provide the best for the consumer. There have been researches on this venture for more than 10 years and those results are enlightening.

Sri Lanka can supply only a fraction of the demand for Dragon Fruits in the world market. Currently exports are made to Italy and some Arabian countries and proposed to expand into several other countries. Nevertheless, there is a good demand and higher price for Sri Lanka Dragon Fruits in the world market.  
For a successful business, quantity, quality, packaging and steady supply of the product is very important. Monoj believes that these factors are important in winning customer confidence. A characteristic of a successful businessman is the ability to understand customer needs and winning customer confidence. He says that it is the secret of his success.

Dragon Fruit cultivation is a very risky business. Nevertheless, Manoj thanks the Lankaputhra Bank for investing money despite this risk. He also appreciated the instructions and advices of the Lankaputhra Bank for effective investment of money. 

Mr. Manoj Kariyawasam
Managing Director
SIECO Agriculture Development (Pvt) Ltd.
P.O.Box 07
“Model Farm” Bothalegama
Bulathsinhala

Disna Indrawathie had no ambitions that could not realize. She had no means of continuing her higher education though she gained excellent results in her Ordinary Levels. She was financially handicapped. Disna didn’t go ahead to join the line of unemployed after terminating her school education. She had a dream. Though it seemed that the dream would not come true she thought of giving a try through sheer determination. Her chosen path to achieve economical independence was not a smooth one, least for a woman. Yet it wasn’t a big challenge for her delicate hands.

She wanted to start a rice mill while engaging in paddy cultivation successfully at her village. As she can recall, it was in 1991 that she laid foundation stone to build a rice mill. She started milling paddy at 35 cents brought on rent but dreamt about achieving heights with hard work. Her business course from 1991 to 2004 was not a rosy one with red carpets. She had to pay rent on her mill with milling rice at 35 cents. She had to lead a difficult life but never surrendered in front of challenges.

Financial stability is vital to carry on businesses successfully. Disna had to try very hard to find a bank which would help small entrepreneurs. At a time when she was in desperation she got to know about the SME Bank established to support small and medium scale businesses. [in January 2008 SME Bank and Lankaputhra Bank were amalgamated.] After getting information about the relevant bank she encountered another problem and that was traveling. 

However after a conversation over the telephone with an official of the relevant bank and collecting necessary documents she came to Colombo with the intention of getting financial support for the expansion of her business. After submitting documents and discussing her need she went back to Mahavilachchiya with bags of hopes. Nevertheless, in a short time the bank has provided her with necessary finances to expand Disna’s business. Earlier Disna has visited several banks in her area in vain.]
        
Now Disna is the owner of a thriving business and instead of being a tenant now she is the proud owner of a two acre land. Earlier she earned Rs 500 a month and her new income is Rs 100,000 a month. She has bought a new lorry to transport paddy for milling as well as to transport rice for markets. 
Now she has laid the foundation to build her own house.

Now Disna intends to buy machinery with high capacity to produce high quality rice in less time for the market. She had a solid market. She humbly admits that her husband and kids as well as the Lankaputhra bank are the pillars behind all her success. 

Tharaka Rice Mill
No 149
Left Bank
Mahawiachchiya
Anuradhapura