Kohilathevi Asokumar Has Won Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Kohilathevi Asokumar Has Won Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• October 17, 2023

Kohilathevi  Asokumar – Managing Director of Kobithan Garments (Pvt)Ltd

I pride myself as a best women entrepreneur who breakthrough the glass ceiling and struggles of ethnic war.  I have become in this stage of life as a successful business women because of my hard work and fullest support of my family members to develop into the best version of myself. It is a great opportunity for me to thank “Women Icon Powered by Times Women” for recognizing and awarding me the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award”.

An energetic and charismatic lady approaches my golden age of 50, growing up with high scale of determination in further harnessing my enterprise, expressing my life journey for you to understand the scenery along the way. I was born and raised in Periyavilan in Jaffna, a beautiful and green rural village located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

A society, grew up under the clouds of war and also our family was highly affected economically by facing multiple internal displacements. My father late Mr. N.Thurairajah passed away in 1982 so my mother Mrs.T.Kamalathevi, a hardworking women took the leadership and protected me and my four sisters with her feathers and sheltered us with her wings with care and love.  Now all are doing well and running smart businesses for their passion in life. 

We trust on the power of education since it breaks down barriers for greater human understanding, empathy, and empowerment. Therefor, my parents induced me to concentrate only on my studies even in difficult times. Specially, I recall here my uncle Mr.N.Sivalingam who was one of the pillars in my achievements. With all these guidance a support, I completed my primary education in J/Periyavilan Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School, the secondary education in J/ Ilavalai Holy Family Convent and graduated a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance from University of Vavuniya.

In my married life, I married to Mr.Loganathan Asokumar (Technical Officer ) and we have 3 intelligent boys. Elder son is Asokumar Kobithan, 24 years old, following B.Sc. final year in Quantity Surveying and Second son is Asokumar Abithan, following B.Sc. 2 year in Electronic Engineering at University of Moratuwa. Younger son is school student.

Blooming as an entrepreneur was not my real dream. Due to lack of financial stability of my family, I was compelled to step into this venture and started a small tailor shop in 2000 with lot of ambiguity, disturbance and discouragements from the society but I never gave up, gradually I groomed myself with confidence and adopted this enterprise as my cherished aspiration. Today I am a happy woman and a successful women entrepreneur.

My mother, sisters and all my family members have been supporting me tirelessly for my business growth. I feel that proper planning, team work and commitment are the keys for my success.

I have 23 years of experience in the area of manufacturing clothing for ladies in garments industry and served nine  years as Development Officer in the SL government department.  I resigned my Government Job in 2014 enable me focus more on my business  development since this business has created 40 permanent jobs  and 10 part time jobs  for underprivileged women living in the region.

In addition, I have expertise in administration, human resources, marketing management and designing & cutting technology. These are the value added factors for me to run my own business steadily since the commencement.

The following awards are my achievements in my raising path;

1. Young Business startup Awards 2004 from National shell livewire award
2. Sri Lankan entrepreneur of the year 2008 business recognition award Northern  Province from FCCISL
3. Woman entrepreneur of the year 2009from WCIC
4. Sri Lankan entrepreneur of the year2009 Provincial merit award Small category  from FCCISL
5. Sri Lankan entrepreneur of the year2010 Provincial merit award Small category  from FCCISL
6. Northern  entrepreneurs award 2014 Best productive enterprise award medium level from CCIY &NEDA
7. Northern  entrepreneurs award 2016  outstanding & exemplary achievement award from CCIY &NEDA
8. Northern  entrepreneurs award 2018 Best enterprise award from ministry of industry and commerce
9. SMIDEX 20191^st place at the Provincial level from Industrial Development Board   Ministry   of Industries, Logistics and Supply chain management.
10. SMIDEX 2022 Provincial level from Industrial Development Board   Ministry   of Industries, Logistics and Supply chain management.
11. Women entrepreneur awards 2022 “The best of the Province Northern  “  from WCIC
12. Women entrepreneur awards 2022 “Award of Recognition“  National level  from WCIC
13. “Empowering Women awards 2023 “ From Ministry of Women’s affairs, Northern Province

In addition, provision of dedicated services to our communities are as follows;

• Leadership Trainer for ILO Project 2018
• Trainer Process improvement, Designing and pattern making (Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel.)
• Visiting lecturer university of Vavuniya for Certificate program in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.
• Vavuniya District Leader  “National Trade protection council”
• Former Director Vavuniya Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Agriculture.
• Former Secretary, School Development Community ,Vavuniya Vipulanatha College  

Over all, I feel proud of my service and support we provided for woman headed, special needs peoples and marginalized young women. It gives me happiness and satisfaction. I consider my strength is my family, mother, sisters, relatives, friends, staff and stakeholders.

I sincerely thank to all my well-wishers.

Put your efforts honestly!

You will reap the productive harvest!!

That will make you happy and gives benefits for the people who loves you!!!