The Business Legacy- Article (June, 2021) by Mrs. Buddhika Manohari Sirimanna, the Assistant Director of Ministry of Youth and Sport- Small Enterprises Development Division

Business Legacy is one of the signature projects, organized and hosted by the Association of Business Administration of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. As the first phase of the project, the Association has invited its Alumni to share their valuable insights and thoughts which will be helpful to our business undergraduates in facing the challenges of the dynamic corporate environment. This is how a proud member of our Alumni, Mrs. Buddhika Manohari Sirimanna, the Assistant Director of Ministry of Youth and Sport- Small Enterprises Development Division has shared her inspiring insights.

I studied at St. Thomas’s Girls’ School, Mathara, and sat for my Advanced Level examination from commerce stream in 1988. Due to the insurgency in our country, I entered the university in 1991. In 1994, I was graduated with a Second Upper-Class Degree. During my final year, I started to work as an intern in a small private company. There were only 10 workers, and my boss gave me enough freedom to work according to my style. I have engaged in duties from Cashier to Accountant. I practically used my doctrine knowledge to work effectively. I was not worried about my salary, length of the work time, or working conditions. My focus was only on my responsibilities there, and I wanted to use my knowledge that I have gained from my university.
After my graduation with the experience of the previous job, I got a chance to work as an Assistant Accountant in a well-known private company in Sri Lanka. When we were at the university, we did not have any idea about the outside world, but when I stepped outside, I realized how different things do happen in the practical scenario. The knowledge I absorbed from what I have learned provided me the strength to face the actual corporate challenges. Also, in the private sector, there was a huge demand for Business Degree holders from our university.
With my marriage, my family wanted me to work in the government sector. Unexpectedly I received a letter from Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority mentioning that I got selected for a training program. After a three-week training period, I got a chance to work in the Small Business Development Division under the same ministry. My duties there consisted of the preparation of project reports and providing letters to the small businessmen articles. I loved my job there and I used the skills and abilities that I have learned from my university throughout the degree program. One of the directors there motivated me by handing over a gazette for me to apply for the post of Entrepreneurship Development Training Officer. So, I sat for three question papers and came to the top 40 among the candidates. The subjects that I have studied during my degree program helped me to pass those examinations without any difficulty. Next, there was the oral examination which was the toughest of all. I was also in my pregnancy period. But I never gave up. So, after that exam 17 members were selected to work in a different district and surprisingly, I was at the top of that list with the highest marks. So, in 1997.11.27, I joined the public service sector which was the biggest turning point in my life.
I selected to work in the Kurunegala district and again there was a 3-weeks training program. My husband was my biggest supporter at that time. Areas such as Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management, Accounting, Costing, and Business planning for loans helped me to guide small businessmen who were a lack of formal knowledge in their respective fields. I felt amazingly happy by seeing the progress of the people whom I had advised. I was truly satisfied with my job. University education has been a great help for me in empowering others to do business. Some people were at zero level education and there were different degree holders from different universities in my job target groups. The knowledge that I have gained from my degree, experiences from the jobs, local and foreign training programs gave me an immense help to shine up in my career. Nowadays governments and non-government sectors are demanding people for these positions. So, this is not a difficult task for a student like you. The abilities and experiences you will get from your work will provide you a winning success in your career life. You can polish your leadership and personality skills through the practical implication of your knowledge once you enter the actual world of business.
In 2009, I have passed the legal procurement service and was appointed as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of youth and sports, also in charge of Business Development Units in all the districts.
Business administration degree holders have massive demand in the competitive job market. My advice to you is to enter the job market while you are getting your degree and collect experiences. Practice the theoretical facts in the real world, while getting maximum out of your creative capacity. Manage your time and invest that time in your own business while doing your job. We are hoping to welcome you to the future of the real business world.
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