From where I am sitting, I can see a man standing on the top of a mountain.
Who is this individual?
How did he achieve this formidable ascent?
Reaching such a summit is no trivial feat.
He is undoubtedly someone worthy of close study.
I asked around and scoured various written documents. At last, I discovered the man who would fit the aforementioned description.

His name is Haputhanthri Don Premasiri, commonly known as H. D. Premasiri,the Chairman of the well-recognised and reputed bookseller, Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd.

On one hand, Premasiri is an ordinary man. On the other, he is extraordinary.

How can a person be both ordinary and extraordinary simultaneously?
Premasiri has traversed distances unimaginable to most. He sees a world that lies beyond what is perceived by most men. His thinking diverges sharply from that of his contemporaries.

His decision-making skills are unparalleled. And his adaptability is commendable. Perseverance defines his life; he maintains unwavering focus and dedication until he achieves his goals.
He is a significant risk-taker. His patience and a myriad of other traits suggest the character of a philosopher rather than that of a mere businessman. In truth, he is an entrepreneur of our era.

Thus, he represents the entrepreneurial community of Sri Lanka , which constitutes less than 3% of the total population.

How did Premasiri, the entrepreneur, build such a successful business empire? Was it inherited from his family?
He did not inherit any wealth from his family. Instead, he was shaped into an entrepreneur by enduring tremendous hardships and gaining extensive experiences from the young age.
Premasiri lost his mother when he was just a few years old.

He did not receive the affection and kindness from his father. If not for his stepmother, he might not have survived those early years. Raised by his stepmother and a few other relatives, Premasiri began his life under great difficulties. One such relative was Kamel Weerakoon, a friend of Premasiri’s father and a bookseller in Padukka.

Premasiri frequently visited Weerakoon’s bookshop, where his father helped with the shop’s accounting. While his father managed his small grocery store and assisted Weerakoon, Premasiri immersed himself in the bookshelves, reading any book he could find. This habit turned him into an avid reader, thus academically surpassing his peers.

Following his mother’s untimely death, Premasiri’s father moved residences multiple times, disrupting any sense of stability in Premasiri’s life. Each move necessitated a change of schools, adding to the challenges Premasiri faced during his formative years.

Premasiri endured a childhood marked by immense hardships, assuming the responsibilities of an adult at a tender age. These challenges forged a resilient individual, preparing him for future success even without his conscious realisation.

Through researching and interviewing numerous business leaders Jodie Cook, a senior contributor for Forbes magazine, identified six common childhood experiences among successful entrepreneurs.

Experiencing change or disruption
Early encounters with change taught them to adapt and view obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than threats.

Understanding the “big wide world”
Gaining a broad perspective helped them focus on what truly matters, an invaluable skill in entrepreneurship.

Awareness of work
Early exposure to the concept of work, whether through actual jobs or family discussions, instilled a commercial awareness and understanding of business dynamics.

Inquisitiveness and desire to learn
A natural curiosity and eagerness to learn were prominent traits.

Independence
Frequently facing challenges independently, these individuals developed confidence and self-reliance, often supported by encouraging parents.

Role Models
Exposure to inspiring role models expanded their imagination and aspirations, shaping their ambitions and future endeavours.

Premasiri experienced all six of the above in his early life. His childhood was shaped by rapid changes, involvement with adults and their work, a strong curiosity, a preference for independence, and learning from both books and real-world examples.

This aligns with the childhood experiences of renowned figures like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey, who also traversed through these experiences in varying degrees during their early lives.

Premasiri remained unwavering in faith in the pursuit of his objectives, demonstrating remarkable perseverance, which is a critical trait for any entrepreneur. Much like Walt Disney, who envisioned Disneyland before it became a reality, Premasiri too set the blueprint for an extensive network of bookshops, browsing through the bookshelves of Weerakoon’s bookshop as a child.

Entrepreneurial literature identifies several common traits among successful entrepreneurs:
1. Curiosity
2. Willingness to Experiment
3. Adaptability
4. Decisiveness
5. Self-Awareness
6. Risk Tolerance
7. Comfort with Failure
8. Persistence
9. Innovative Thinking
10. Long- term Focus

Premasiri exemplified nearly all these characteristics throughout his life. From his challenging childhood to his current achievements, he has consistently displayed entrepreneurial acumen. Initially focusing on book sales, he evolved into a prominent book publisher, catering to both local and global readers. He expanded his portfolio by printing colour photographs domestically when many others outsourced this work overseas.

His venture into the film industry was fraught with challenges and significant losses, yet he persevered and ultimately became a successful film producer, contributing lasting value to the cinema industry. His vision extended beyond arts and culture, reaching the hospitality sector as well.

Premasiri’s next move remains unknown, but like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson, he too is constantly exploring new business opportunities through innovative strategies. His journey is a testament to overcoming challenges, and is a vault of valuable lessons for us all.

Premasiri now envisions a brand new world and invites us to join him in witnessing it.

By Anura Siriwardena