Otara along wither brothers Ajit and Ruchi Gunewardene sold their entire shares in ODEL PLC this morning (11 September) at the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Most were taken by surprise by this sudden development in one of the most sought after fashion retail outlet entity. The initial response from sources revealed that Otara Gunewardene had decided to move away from the business world and devote more time on her humanitarian projects, particularly ‘Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka’ and another, more closer to her heart – ‘Embark’ - a campaign to improve the wellbeing of stray dogs, reducing their population and preventing rabies in Sri Lanka.

So, Otara Gunewardene seems to have decided to take a break from the dazzle world of fashion, apparels and business etc.

However, her name Otara is said to mean ‘reincarnation’ in Sanskrit. So, some have raised eyebrows over this sudden decision and the question looming in their minds is ‘Will she return with a bang?’

On the other hand, Ōtara is a suburb of Auckland in New Zealand. In the Māori language, Ō-Tara means ‘the place of Tara’ or ‘territory belonging to Tara’ who is said to be a Rangatira or Māori chief of the area.

Educated at Ladies College she was involved in athletics. Later, while reading for her Biology Degree in the US she tried her ability in modeling and after her graduation was drawn into it in a professional way.

But there was more for Otara. She may have been spurred by her father Norman Gunewardene, a well known corporate leader having guided Aitken Spence to its status as a blue-chip group; her mother Delysia, probably from who Otara’s humanitarian concerns have continued, and who has devoted much of her time and efforts towards the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children. Her brothers are Ajit and Ruchi Gunewardene, they too being respected professionals in Sri Lanka’s corporate sector.

A chance request by an apparel manufacturer to help him dispose an assortment of export surplus garments led her to set up shop in the boot of her trusted car. Her friends were her first regular clientele and she consolidated this early success by selling to other stores in Colombo as well.

Her first serious plunge into retail selling was the opening of ODEL - a combination of her first name, Otara with her middle name Del – along Dickman’s Road, Colombo. From then onward ODEL transformed into almost a brand name and expanded with outlets at almost all major shopping centres and hotels.

Now, reaching great heights, Otara Gunewardene has decided to spend most of her time with her pet project ‘Embark’ acampaign dedicated to improving the wellbeing of stray dogs, reducing their population and preventing rabies in Sri Lanka. Embark approaches these issues with immense hope, creating a strong impact on the welfare of both animals and people of Sri Lanka.

Her other project is ‘Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka’ - a registered non-governmental organization whose mission is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing to people in need. To receive assistance from a local affiliate project, a family must live in unfit or inadequate housing and must not be able to afford or obtain better housing through conventional means. Partner families are selected based on their ability to contribute labour and repay the cost of the house. Religion, Ethnicity, Political status Kinship and Friendship do not determine a family's eligibility.

Created in 1995, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka (HFHSL) completed building of its 10,000th house in 2008. This equates to 770 homes a year for people who would otherwise be living below the poverty line.

- (with facts based on ‘Otara - Her Story’)