Home

News

Politics

Issues

Focus

Editorial

Spotlight

Sports

Business

Review

Arts

Letters

Nutshell

Interviews

Fashion

Archives

M. A. M. Lafir J. P. Ranasinghe

'All the best for the new year...

By Risidra Mendis

The dawn of a new year in most cases means happiness' joy and hopes for a better future. But despite all the traditional customs of boiling milk, preparing milk rice and distributing gifts, to some ushering in a new year can mean uncertainty, fear and sadness. 

Even though many of us hope for a better future, sometimes our wishes don't turn out as planned or hoped for.

The Sunday Leader visited Main Street, known as one of the most popular shopping areas in the country, to find out what kind of hopes and plans the pavement hawkers have for 2004. Amidst the sounds of vehicle horns and the crowds rushing up and down for their last minute shopping, a few pavement hawkers expressed their views on  the new year.

J. P. Ranasinghe sells glassware on the pavements of Main Street. The glassware is specially imported from countries such as China, Malaysia and Indonesia. Speaking to The Sunday Leader Ranasinghe said business has been good this year in comparison to last year. "There is a good demand for most types of glassware in the Sri Lankan market. Besides our prices are always cheaper than in other areas" says Ranasinghe.

However when asked if business will be better for him in the new year, Ranasinghe paused for a few seconds. With a look of uncertainty on his face he said, " we will have to wait and see."

M. A. M. Lafir on the other hand is confident that 2004 will be a better year for business. Lafir has been selling ornamental bird cages and rotating fish lamps on the pavement for the past four to five years. Amidst the sounds of chirping birds in little cages Lafir went on to explain the success behind his business.  "These bird cages and rotating fish lamps are from China. But within a short period of time they have become very popular in the Sri Lankan market" says Lafir.

'Peace is good'

Lafir went on to say that during the season he sold around 500 bird cages and 100 rotating fish lamps per day. Lafir is confident that Main Street pavement hawkers will have  better business if the peaceful atmosphere  in the country remains the same. "This year due to the Peace Process business has been very good. I have customers coming all the way from Jaffna to buy my products. There are no serious problems in the country right now. But our people are very good at spreading rumours and creating unnecessary problems" says Lafir.

Lafir firmly believes that if parliament is not dissolved in the next few months business in April 2004 for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will be far better.

Meanwhile comment on what the new  year has in store for him M. Askar, a clothes and bag seller said he believes business will continue to improve in the country. Askar's is a family business. "There are four of us selling bags and clothes but I'm the person in charge" says Askar. According to Askar business is good and will continue to get better in the coming year. "You have to have faith in the system if you want it to work. But even if there are unexpected problems next year in the country, we will still be here selling our products on the pavement as we have no other way to earn an income" he explained.

Problems this year

During the Christmas and new year season Askar earns Rs 15,000 per day, while on a normal day he earns only about Rs 2000.

J. D. Kulathilake on the other hand expressed the need for improvement in the country's economic setup. "People have money problems these days. So business is not very good. In 2002 I earned Rs 15,000 per day during the Christmas and New Year season. But during the festive season of 2003 I earned Rs 5000 to 6000 per day. Kulathilake sells a variety of Japanese and Chinese toys on the pavement. "For the past 30 years I have been here but 2003 was not a good year. As for 2004 I don't know what is in store for us. Let's wait and see" says Lafir.   

Inbam and Krishna Menen sell soft toys on the pavement. But unlike the other pavement hawkers who are permanently stationed at Main Street, Inbam brings his export quality soft toys to Main Street in December only. At other times we sell our products in Negombo" says Inbam.

Inbam went on to say that in 2003 business was better in Negombo than at Main Street.  Inbam and Menen were not sure if the new year would bring them better luck in business than the previous one.

Back to the headlines