Q: You count many firsts and have shown Sri Lanka that women can make it to the top – what is your message to young ladies who are reluctant to embark on a corporate career?
A: My advice is that they should follow the path where their abilities and passions come together.

A corporate career may not be for everyone; what matters is that they enjoy their field of work, and are able to work hard and continuously develop their competencies.

It’s also important not to be deterred by the unconscious bias faced by women in the boardroom, and how they’re perceived and heard. They need to focus on the task at hand as well as being the best at what they do – that’s half the battle.

The more practical challenges we face while pursuing a career are those at home and in relation to childcare, which is disproportionately borne by women. Developing a supportive network to help with this is vital, as is learning the fine art of balancing all the roles you have to play as a woman.

Q: Which social problem is your top priority right now…?
A: I’m passionate about helping women and children, as I firmly believe they deserve a safe environment to grow and learn. I have been working with ‘Friends of Prisoners’ Children,’ which is a welfare programme that supports the kids of inmates at the Welikada Prison by awarding scholarships.

In addition, I am also an ambassador for the ‘Room to Read’ initiative, which promotes education among rural children and supports their work. I have a vision to spearhead my own foundation for children someday.

Q: Could you outline a few other social initiatives you’ve spearheaded – and why they are important to you?
A: I am extremely passionate about women’s empowerment, and have worked extensively to this end in the shipping and logistics sectors. I was instrumental in forming Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) in Sri Lanka and garnering support for females in the shipping industry.

It’s had a huge impact by enabling women to network and support each other – especially in terms of training, education and recognition by all the main industry bodies for WISTA, which essentially gives them much needed visibility.

Q: How have you been able to balance motherhood while leading the McLarens Group?
A: Balance is a fine art and I believe we have to prioritise each task at a time. Sometimes you have to skip a meeting to attend your child’s concert or miss a PTA session to meet a work commitment.

I have learnt to decide what I need to do each day and outsource any activities that can be undertaken by others. By planning my itinerary meticulously, I ensure that I don’t miss important milestones or deadlines.

The group now spreads over 50 subsidiaries in six sectors. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to create a structure that supports its day-to-day operations; and I have to be involved mainly for key decisions on recruitment, investments in new businesses or issues at board level.

Having said this, it’s also very important to be hands- on and keep your ear to the ground to really understand what’s going on in the business. Knowing when to ask what questions and when to dig deeper to keep track of the group’s performance is also a fine art that’s acquired over time.

Q: And the least favourite part of your job is…?
A: Anything that’s mundane!