A life in chapters
Timeline
Born
30 August 1964
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Education
- CMS Ladies’ College, Colombo 7
- Bowling Green State University, Ohio — BSc Biology
Roles
Professional Fashion Model
1987 – 2004
Founder & CEO, Odel PLC
1990 – 2014
Founder, Embark
2007 – present
Founder, The Otara Foundation
2014 – present
- 1987 – 2004Personal
Professional Fashion Model
Modelled for high-profile fashion brands, international apparel catalogues, TV commercials and runway shows.
- 1989ODEL
The Blue Station Wagon
Started selling surplus factory garments from the boot of a blue station wagon — the seed of what would become ODEL.
- 1990ODEL
Odel is founded
A 1,100 sq. ft. store in Colombo 5, Sri Lanka — the very first ODEL.
- 1999ODEL
Flagship Store, Colombo 7
Launched ODEL’s flagship — a 35,000 sq. ft. luxury department store in the heart of Colombo.
- 2007Embark
Embark begins
Launched the Embark brand and the program to improve the lives of Sri Lanka’s street dogs.
- 2010ODEL
First female entrepreneur to take a company public in Sri Lanka
Converted Odel into a public liability company — the first fashion retail brand listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange and the first female entrepreneur to take a company public in Sri Lanka.
- 2011ODEL
Luv SL launches
ODEL launched Luv SL — stylish souvenirs and lifestyle products celebrating Sri Lanka, for both locals and tourists.
- 2012ODEL
Parkson investment
Sale of close to 50% of ODEL to Parkson Retail Asia, bringing significant investment of over $20 million into Sri Lanka.
- 2014ODEL
Softlogic acquisition
Sold shares in Odel PLC to the Softlogic Group.
- 2014Foundation
The Otara Foundation
Started the Otara Foundation — improving the lives of animals, advocating for better animal welfare and environmental conservation.
- 2014Awards
Prominent Women of the Country
Selected and honoured as one of the ‘Prominent Women of the Country’ by the Women’s Parliamentarians’ Caucus, for her achievements in business and her service to the country.
- 2018Other
Non-Executive Director, Singer Sri Lanka
Appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Singer Sri Lanka.
- 2020Other
Who We Are launches
Launch of Who We Are — an online platform retailing products made in Sri Lanka by small businesses.
“This is only the beginning.”