Otara Gunewardene

On 11 September 2014 Gunewardene sold of all her shares in ODEL PLC to the Softlogic Group, to concentrate on Embark. In 2015 Embark opened its first standalone store in Galle, which was followed by an additional three stores in Kandy City Centre, Bandaranaike International Airport and at Dickmans Road in Colombo. In September 2017 Embark opened its tenth store in K-Zone Ja-Ela.

Whilst on holiday back home, she did some fashion modelling – shooting for high-profile brands and international apparel catalogues right after graduating from University.

In February 2010 she converted ODEL into a public limited liability company and it became the first fashion retail business to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

In 2007 Gunewardene launched the Otara foundation, a non profit organisation which focuses on environmental and wildlife conservation of Sri Lanka. In 2007 she also launched the fashion brand, Embark, some of the income from which is donated to fund eradication of rabies, canine vaccinations, sterilisation surgeries, puppy adoptions, and caring for injured street dogs.

In 1990 Gunewardene married Raju Chandiram, with whom she had two sons, in 1994 and 2000. The couple separated in 2006. Chandiram served as a senior executive at Odel and following their divorce subsequently served as a Director on the Sri Lankan Airlines board from May 2005 until March 2008.

In 1989 Gunawardene began selling factory surplus garments and apparel from her car boot to family and friends. In 1990 she opened her first store, ODEL, on Dickmans Road in Colombo and by 2010 had eighteen stores throughout Colombo.

Otara Del Gunawardene was born on 30 August 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka the third child to Norman and Delysia Gunewardene. Her father was a former Chairman of Aitken Spence and her mother, Delysia, established the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children.