D. S. Rajapaksa
| Samson Rajapaksa | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1922 Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Died |
19 April 1984 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Residence | Bataduwa, Galle |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Other names | Samson Mudalali |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1939–1987 |
| Known for | Founder, DSI Samson Group |
| Website |
dsi |
Diyunuge Samson Rajapaksa, JP (1922 - 19 April 1984) was a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, who founded the DSI Samson Group one of the leading manufacture of footwear and rubber products in Sri Lanka. He was widely known as Samson Mudalali as such one of the most prominent and successful Sri Lankan businessmen in the post independence era.[1][2][3][4]
Early life
Born in the small village of Bataduwa few miles from the port city of Galle in the south of Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa lost his parents at an early age.
Business career
He ventured to the capital city Colombo in search of work. In 1939, he set up a small shop in the main bazaar area known as Pettah. He along with many traders abandon their shops following the Easter Sunday Raid. Returning to his home town briefly he return to Colombo. Having been selling imports from India he opted to sell shoes made locally, eventually he started manufacturing them.
Having expanded his shop, in 1962 he established DSI, his first company in by imported machinery from Japan and setting up a factory in Galle to manufacture shoes for the local market. Slowly the product range was increased from gent shoes to ladies and children's shoes and other products such as travelling bags, suitcases and brief cases. New shops were opened in other towns and cities, with a fleet of vehicles expanded to distribute the products throughout the island. Soon DSI became a house hold name.
Honors
Samson Rajapaksa was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the government of Sri Lanka. The D. Samson Rajapaksa Mawatha (Avenue) is named in his memory in his home town of Bataduwa, Galle.
Family
The Rajapaksa had eight children, five sons and three daughters.[1][5]