Sri Lankan Entrepreneur Prabath Seneviratne Turned a Simple Idea into a Global Sock Brand

What began as a simple observation in London has grown into an internationally recognised Sri Lankan brand, with its products now reaching customers in cities such as London, Melbourne, Toronto and Dubai.

Prabath Seneviratne, founder of MAZE, took a bold step in 2018 by leaving his corporate career and giving up a stable salary to pursue an unconventional business idea: creating socks inspired by Sri Lanka.

The inspiration came during his time in London, where he noticed people wearing socks featuring illustrations of their cities, famous landmarks and local identities. However, he could not find anything similar representing Sri Lanka. Recognising an opportunity to showcase the country's culture and identity through an everyday product, he decided to create his own brand.

Rather than rushing into production, Seneviratne spent nearly a year researching and developing the product. His focus went beyond attractive designs, extending to the technical aspects of sock manufacturing, including yarn selection, elasticity and a specific needle count to ensure the socks were comfortable and suitable for Sri Lanka's tropical climate.

Another important part of his vision was to ensure that the brand remained proudly Sri Lankan. Every MAZE design and its packaging were developed and produced in Sri Lanka, supporting local creativity and manufacturing.

MAZE officially launched just before Christmas in 2018, introducing its first collection of 25 designs. The launch generated significant attention, securing more than LKR 10 million worth of media coverage and helping establish the brand in the local market.

However, the journey was not without challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted retail businesses and tourism, MAZE faced an uncertain business environment. During this difficult period, the company also extended its support to frontline healthcare workers by donating socks in recognition of their service and dedication.

Today, eight years after its launch, MAZE has grown beyond its original market, with its products finding their way to customers across several international destinations, including London, Melbourne, Toronto and Dubai.

What started as one entrepreneur's observation in a foreign city has evolved into a business that places Sri Lankan creativity and craftsmanship on the international stage.

Prabath Seneviratne's journey demonstrates how an everyday product, combined with careful research, a clear vision and the courage to take a risk, can become an opportunity to build a brand with global reach.

From a corporate career to a sock business, his story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest business opportunities begin with simply noticing what is missing.