Laksiri - a micro entrepreneur on his way up

Travelling to Digana from Kandy, the garage caught my attention as there was so much activity around even at 6.30 p.m. Several motor bicycles and people waiting their turn, like patients in a medical channel centre, waiting for their appointments. Laksiri Motors is the only motor repair garage in the village of Gonawela in Rajawella along the Digana road on prime location. It was impossible to speak to the proprietor as he was too busy, so a meeting was scheduled with the Kandy Times for the next day.

Laksiri Motors is the agent for Bajaj in the area. Ever since he was awarded the Bajaj dealership his business has rapidly grown, that was four years ago. Its owner Laksiri Priyantha Udakumbura says 75% of the motor bicycles in the Digana area are Bajaj, when asked the reason, he said “Running cost is low and so is maintenance. Spare parts are freely available and not too expensive”. It is very noticeable that the preferred mode of transport in areas outside Kandy town is the motor bicycle. As such, the proprietor’s optimism about his business expanding is understandable.

Udakumbura, 32, still in his work overalls, said that after completing the GCE (Ordinary Level) examination he did a two year course in motor mechanics at the Aruppola Technical College as he discovered he had an aptitude for doing small repair jobs around the house. He worked in a garage in Digana for nine years. When he married Anoma Kumari in 1998 he realised he had to earn more because they could not survive on his salary. He was confident that he had the knowledge and expertise to start a motor repair business on his own and he began to look out for a ‘good spot’ as he said. Almost immediately he identified the premises Laksiri Motors is located in and with assistance from a bank, bought the land. “The beginnings were really small,” he explained. He had a small shed for his workshop and they lived in another section. He faced the world with his box of tools and his skills.

A customer who was around, said, “It is not only the fact that Laksiri always does a good repair job that brings me here. He is polite, well-mannered and is honest in his dealings.” Another quipped, Laksiri does his best even if the job is small, always gives us value for money”.

His garage now is well organized, in three sections – the service area, the workshop and the spare parts shop. The premises are immaculate, not the usual black, greasy mess that is found around small garages on the wayside. He has built his living quarters above and he pointed at two little children playing on the balcony and said “I would never have been able to provide them the lifestyle I do now if I was employed by another.”

Laksiri Motors opens its doors for business by 7.30 a.m. and they work even up to 7 p.m. on busy days. Udakumbura has three young trainees working for him, the boys were obviously happy as they were all chatting cheerfully while attending to their work. The extreme courtesy he showed when addressing his staff was remarkable.

“I always try to satisfy customers with my best services and assure them that they get value for their money. That is the only way I can ensure that they will return,” he said. (PSM)