BIG BUSINESS IN SRI LANKA

As part of our work we are helping people to start their own business. This is based on what skills they possess and the needs of a particuar area. As a result, we have been learning a bit about the way business works in Sri Lanka.

The road that we travel to take the children to school is a very busy road. In reality, it is probably better described as a very busy sealed track. Noting the amount of traffic, an enterprising young lady decided that it would be an ideal place to put her little stall. This sells fruit, nuts and a few vegetables that passers by could pick up. It must be a success because it is still there even after a few months. This success was obvious because shortly after someone else had decided to cash in on it. Another lady has set up a stall selling exactly the same thing right next to hers. Anywhere else this would cause no end of anomosity, but not in Sri Lanka. Both of these stalls are operating right next to each other still.

The exact same principle has created a lot of the small towns around Sri Lanka. This is extremely obvious on the road to Kandy. First you pass through cashew town, where young girls flag down passing cars to sell cashews - this waving becomes quite animated when white skin is seen. You will then pass through cane basket town, followed by clay pot village and lastly hot salted corn place in the middle of nowhere (maybe soon to be village).

In Colombo there are entire districts that are dedicated to one particular industry or selling a particular product. Although respectful of each other, competition is fierce. This results in any small difference being scrutinised and duplicated. So a successfull shop will inevitably have their signs copied. Trying to identifiy a partcular shop can be difficult but on the up side if I need a clay pot I know which town I need to go to.