Otara Gunewardene
 |
Otara Del Gunewardene | |
|---|---|
| Born | Otara Del Gunewardene August 3, 1964 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | Chairman of ODEL |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Children | Kiran (born 1994) Rakhil (born 2000) |
| Parent(s) | Norman Gunewardene Delysia Gunewardene |
| Website | Official website |
Otara Del Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of the brand ODEL. Otara ventured into selling garments from the boot of her car. In 1989, having rented a small place on Lester James Peries Mawatha (Formally ‘Dickman’s Road) in Colombo 4, she opened ODEL - the first of a chain of retail outlets. ODEL.[1]
Otara is involved in many environmental and animal welfare activities. Some of these include work for Habitat for Humanity International and World Animal Day. In 2001, she initiated the Odel Foundation, a charitable organization that works in the areas of housing development, forest conservation, animal welfare and children in need.
Early Life
Born in Colombo, Gunewardena is the daughter of Norman and Delysia Gunewardena. Her father is a well-known corporate leader in Sri Lanka, and her mother has carried out considerable work for the Chitra Lane School for children with special needs. Her two brothers, Ajit and Ruchi are renowned professionals in the country’s corporate sector.
She studied at one of the country’s premier schools - CMS Ladies’ College, Colombo 7. An enthusiastic sportswoman, Gunewardena represented her school in athletics and swimming, and high jump and hurdles on an international scale. She continued her higher studies by reading for a Biology Degree at the State University of Bowlin Green, Ohio – USA. It was during one summer vacation that she took up modelling in a professional way. Once completing her higher studies, Gunewardena went on to model for high profile brands and became a familiar face on the catwalk.
In 1990, she married Raju Chandiram and the couple divorced 14 years later. They have two sons, Kiran (born in 1994) and Rakhil (born in 2000).
References
- ^ "Thashmi's wonderful world". The Nation on Sunday. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
External links
- Otara’s support to community dogs (The Sunday Times Online)
- Major women’s ware dealer on animal loving campaign (Asian Tribune)
- Otara Lanka’s Ambassador for World Animal Day (Daily News)
- ODEL founder and CEO Otara Gunewardene said they continue to witness significant same store growth and the addition of new stores has also contributed to this increased revenue. (Lanka Newspapers)
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