Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Ananda Priyankara from Richmond College, Galle (centre) was all motivation. He is flanked by Best Entrepreneur Boy Kushan Pathiraja from St. Joseph’s College and Best Entrepreneur Girl, Rosanjala Dias from Kuda Kusum Balika Vidyalaya, Bandarawela. Picby Rukshan Abeywansha.

Young entrepreneurs unfazed by economic gloom and doom

By Nizla Naizer
Despite the global recession and the falling economies across the world, a brood of young entrepreneurs were confident and unfazed as they discussed the future and their aspirations at the Young Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka (YESL) award ceremony organized by Junior Achievers at BMICH yesterday.

The winner of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 16 year old Ananda Priyankara of Richmond College, Galle was a shining face of passion for his business. “My company Rich Rubber Corporation survived despite the global recession,” he informed the audience, “And this year, I am confident I will make Rs. 50 million in revenue and US$10000 through exports of our rubber products.”

He looked at the audience with a confident eye and asked them, “Anyone here who wants to buy a rubber roller at Rs. 100000? My company can supply it without any issues.” Ananda’s business activities spreads to Corporate Social Responsibility as he explained, “We have distributed Rs. 40000 worth of exercise books to the people in rural areas.”

“Last year was not good for me and the rubber industry, but by December we survived. I bought the suit I’m wearing with the income I earned,” he says with a proud smile.

His passion and vision are shared by many of the young faces who received awards. Best Boy Entrepreneur Kushan Pathiraja of St. Josephs’ College, Colombo 10 was emphatic in his hope to grow in strength with the knowledge gained by this programme, and Best Girl Entrepreneur, Rosanjala Dias who hails forom Kuda Kusum Balika Vidyalaya, Bandarawela couldn’t contain her emotion as she explained this award would motivate her to develop her entrepreneurial skills further.

The YESL programme is designed to give students a taste of the true business reality while they’re still in school. Companies have to be formed with products that can be sold, a proper Board of Directors established, Annual Reports produced and General Meetings conducted, through which students learn the true skill of entrepreneurship.

“Life is not only about academics,” President of the Junior Achievers, Patrick Amarasinghe explained. Amrasinghe brought the world renowned Junior Achievers programme currently in 110 countries, to Sri Lanka with the intention of promoting entrepreneurial skills among the school children who have no practical experience.

“Since its inception 11 years ago, the YESL has created and inspired entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka,” he stated and as the alumni of the YESL programme explain how they’ve ventured into the business world despite the many challenges they faced, it appears that the programme has benefited several young Sri Lankans. “I’m 25 years old and successfully run my own condiments and maldive fish packeting and distribution business,,” Anusha from the 2001 batch explained, while Gayan juggles his job at Standard Chartered Bank during the week and a fruit drink bottling business during the weekend. “All of our success is due to the initial training we had through YESL.”Cargills Ceylon Limited CEO, Ranjit Page who was the Chief Guest at the award ceremony pointed out, “In the good old days we didn’t have YESL and we had to learn things the hard way, but this programme is helping train a group of young entrepreneurs this country is in need of.”

“Sri Lanka needs honest, truthful and sincere entrepreneurs, now more than ever. We see the world in crisis and Sri Lanka will not be impervious to it. So we need people who can make a difference not only to their lives, but to other’s lives.”

YESL which is a programme recognized by the Ministry of Education is funded by private contributions and donations. “For the last few years we have been supported by USAID but that will end in a few months. We need other private entities to come forward and help us,” Amarasinghe explained. “All the programme material which is supplied from the USA, is provided to the students free of charge. But this programme is now in demand from schools in all corners of the country. We need help to take it forward.”