Reference to the report last week headlined “Big Corporate names in Jaffna as interest grows” in the Sunday Times FT, Cargills in a letter says that it already has a site in Jaffna (since 2006) and plans to open its first store shortly.
Cargills said it was responding to the reference made to Cargills (Ceylon) Plc in paragraph two of the article which said ‘He (S. Yogarajasingam, CEO, Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam) said Mackwoods is also eyeing land to build their agriculture base in Jaffna adding that Cargills is also planning to set up its supermarket following competitor, Keells Super’s entry into the now war-free peninsula’. The letter said:
1) The Cargills Business model and its strategies have been developed through our own experience and expertise. We have not ‘followed’ any other entity in Sri Lanka or overseas. Our business model has been respected internationally for creating sustainable value for all stakeholders and this recognition has been gained through innovative leadership and not by ‘following’ competition or otherwise.
2) We first expanded our business interests to the Northern Province by establishing our retail outlet in Vavuniya in 2004. The site in Jaffna was in fact secured in the year 2006 at a time when the environment was not ‘ideal’ for business. Our first store in Jaffna would shortly open at this very site.
3)In our attempt to verify facts regarding the said newspaper article we contacted Mr. S. Yogarajasingam who is quoted in the article as to having made a statement to your journalist with reference to Cargills. Mr. Yogarajasingam acknowledges having spoken to your newspaper but categorically denies mentioning Cargills in the interview.
Our reporter says:
Mr Yogarajasingham did mention Cargills in the interview but acknowledges that he didn’t say that ‘Cargills was following competitor Keells Super’s entry into Jaffna.’ |
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