Life lesson from an inspiring woman entrepreneur

G.G.N.P. Jayarathne is a 32 year old courageous Thurunu Diriya loan receiver and an entrepreneur who lives in Thalawa, Anuradhapura. Her business ‘Nirmali footwear’ is specialised in making ladies’ handbags, school bags and ladies’ footwear.

As a self-motivated woman, Jayarathne actively participated in professional workshops conducted by Vidatha and Mahawaliya Centre. As a result, she commenced on making ladies’ hand bags, school bags and ladies’ footwear at home. She continued her education for 11 years at Anuradhapura, Mudunegama Maha Vidyalaya and decided to sacrifice her education to support her parents financially who were farmers. And this decision of hers led to the starting point of ‘Nirmali footwear’ five years ago.

Currently she has been able to arrange a small workspace for herself from the support she gets from her family and her friends. Since the beginning of this business, her mother has been a great help. Her products are distributed among companies, garment factories and shops through the connections she has. And also, she never forgets to participate in exhibitions organised by Vidatha Centre, of which the main objective is to empower entrepreneurship.

According to Jayarathne, she has used a part of the loan which she received from Thurunu Diriya to purchase a considerable amount of raw materials and a sewing machine which she was in need of. Her plans for the business are to find a permanent address for Nirmali footwear and grow it to a thriving business.

She was informed about the Thurunu Diriya Loan Scheme by the Thalawa Divisional Secretariat. Factors such as low rate of interest, easy access to the loan, influenced Miss Jayarathne to go for Thurunu Diriya.