In 1962, the late Mr. D Samson Rajapaksa JP, the founder of DSI (made up by the first letters of the name D Samson Industries) took his first steps to realizing a vision in making DSI - Sri Lanka's No. 01 footwear company.

His mission was based on firm principles, business integrity and offering his customers quality and good value above all else. This journey through uncharted terrain took a relatively unknown name from Galle in the South of Sri Lanka and carefully nurtured it into a brand leader with national & international recognition. The task was not without the pitfalls & obstacles, reward & successes associated with the building of a strong brand that had to stand the test of time. Time that put to test his courage and determination to succeed against all odds and convert his vision into a reality.

He cleverly identified the various opportunities that came his way and set the foundation for a strong brand and a diverse group of companies.

He loved his country, the people and revered & practiced traditional family values, particularly those of the South that have now been enshrined into the DSI corporate culture at every level. His special relationship with his employees was that of a father to a son that extended beyond the realm of his own family. Continuing in this tradition, his sons gradually took over the business in the 1970's.

Achievements
D Samson Industries (Pvt) Ltd
1.1987 Certificate of Merit for Creditable Export Performance.
Institution: Export Development Council of Ministers
2.1989 Presidential Export Award [outstanding performance]
Institution: Export Development Council of Ministers
3.1990 Certificate of Merit for Creditable Export Performance
Institution: Export Development Council of Ministers
4.1990 Certificate of Appreciation
Institution: Sri Lanka Standards Institution
5.1991 Certificate of Appreciation
Institution: Sri Lanka Standards Institution
6 .1992 Certificate of Appreciation
Institution: Sri Lanka Standards Institution
7 .1995 Entrepreneur of the Year '95 Competition Industry - Large [Southern]
Institution: FCCISL
8.1995 Presidential Export Award - Merit
Institution: Export Development Council of Ministers
9 .1995 Certificate of Merit for Creditable Performance in Productivity
Institution: NIBM
10.1995 Industry Large [Silver]
Institution: NCE
11.1996 Industry Large [Silver]
Institution: NCE
12.1996 World Temperance Day National Award for Great Service Rendered
Institution: Sober Sri Lanka - International Organization of Good Templars
13.1997 Export Award [Bronze]
Institution: NCE
14.1998 Export Award [Merit]
Institution: NCE
15.1999 National Safety Award [Merit]
Institution: Dept. of Labour & Employee's Trust Fund Board
16.1999 ISO 9001:2000 Certification for Rubber Compounds
Institution: DNV
17.2001 National Safety Award [Provincial Winner]
Institution: Dept. of Labour & Employee's Trust Fund Board
18.2002 Export Award [Merit]
Institution: NCE
19.2003 National Awards for Export Excellence
Ministry of Commerce Consumer Affairs
20.2003 National Safety Award Merit - Southern Province
Institution: Dept. of Labour & Employee's Trust Fund Board
21.2003 Export Award - Silver
Institution: NCE
22.2004 5S Merit Certificate
Institution: Taiki Akimoto 5S Competition
23.2004 ISO 9001:2000 Design & Manufacture of F/W & Footwear Components
Institution: DNV
24.2005 5S Merit certificate
Institution: Taiki Akimoto 5S Competition
25.2005 Productivity Certificate 2005 - Southern Province 1st Place
Institution: Provincial Productivity Secretariat
26 2005 National Productivity & Quality Awards - Manufacturing Sector - Large Scale, Special Commendation Certificate
Institution: National Productivity Secretariat
27 2006 National Safety Award - 1st Runner up for the Safety Workplace in the Manufacturing & Processing Sector
Institution: Dept. of Labour & Employee's Trust Fund Board