The selection, after an exhaustive survey by an independent board comprising persons of eminence, of industrial magnate M.G. Kularatne as the Entrepreneur of the year under the aegis of ‘Ada Derana’ is no small achievement, for he triumphed in a highly competitive field.
Despite abundant time devoted to fun and frolic familiar to students, he shone in studies as well. One of his remarkable talents was to pursue science and mathematics in the SSC class, and switch midstream to arts subjects for the university entrance examination. Even later when dark days enveloped him, he chose to pursue ‘law,’ and pass it’s first examination.
The inherent qualities that he carried from school to the university bloomed and blossomed amidst a plethora of opportunities to join colleagues in a variety of exciting adventures symbolic of the nature and way of life of resident students.
He lived his life to the fullest at Peradeniya. It was a period of life to remember, full of nostalgic memories. We were sometimes rebels with causes, but often without them. Exuberance and the irrepressible restlessness of youth growing into adolescence demanded exciting adventures. A prosaic existence was alien to them.
The second phase of Kularatne’s life commenced with his commission as a lieutenant in the Army in 1965. In 1972 and after, he faced a series of vicissitudes, trials and tribulations. This phase included a series of setbacks which would have broken the spirit of many. But he possessed resilience, grit and fortitude to fight his way back to procure employment in a Japanese construction company.
This second phase of his life, despite the acute setbacks, became a stepping stone or platform for him to commence the formation of his own construction company. Given his versatility, a flair for taking calculated risks, and his experience in accepting challenges with success, he picked up the threads of construction work to inaugurate Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd which has today acquired island wide renown.
But this third phase of the life of M.G. Kularatne which is yet in motion has to be understood as one where he rose from virtual ash and dust to prosperity, achievement, and fame.
Over 50 years later, he is still the same old “Kulta”, honest, simple, sincere, helpful, and generous. The manner in which he cares for his large workforce is exemplary, for he gives pride of place to their welfare and comforts. It is this consciousness that inspired him to state at the awards ceremony that he would dedicate his award to his “Maga team.”
Success and wealth are spoiling influences which distance many of us from humility, caring and modesty. They often contribute to caprice, vanity and fickleness. Given his consistency in the practice of noble values and virtues for so long, Kularatne is unlikely to succumb to such evils.