|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 1 September 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Giving back something to the country Hard work, determination and honesty are the drivers of success for Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Ranjit Fernando. Fernando joined the public sector after a 22-year career at National Development Bank (NDB) from which he retired as Director and General Manager. Prior to joining NDB, he worked at DFCC and People's Bank. "Leadership has three elements - creating a vision, articulating it to all in the organisation and creating an organisation structure to achieve this vision. I believe that this is the formula for the success of any organisation," Mr Fernando, who had joined the NDB at its inception in 1979, said. "I joined the public sector as I wished to give back some of my experiences for the betterment of the country. "The new posting is also a real challenge," he said. "The vision of an organisation should excite the people; be far away, but reachable. Every person in the organisation, from the top management to the lowest level, should understand the vision of the organisation. "This will help them make a better contribution to achieve this vision." Fernando and the other staff are planning a more conducive environment for the ministry. "This will help us liaise with the private sector more effectively and efficiently," added Mr Fernando. An old boy of St Joseph's College, Colombo, his dream was to become a doctor. After finishing his Advanced Level examination, he had got a temporary job at the People's Bank. "When the A\L results came out, I had qualified to study Bio-Science, but not Medicine. Since this was not my choice, I stayed at the bank," he said. Incidentally, Mr Fernando joined the People's Bank just after it was opened and was one of the first 100 people to be recruited. "I was confirmed in my position and while working there, I got through the London banking exams, which earned me a promotion as an officer," he said. "In the meantime, I started studying Law as an external student. "I was the first or second external student to get through the exams with a Class. This gave me another surprise," said Fernando. Professor G.L. Peiris had phoned him and had wanted him to take up lecturing, which he did for two years. He had lectured at the University of Colombo in Administrative Law in the evenings. "I left People's Bank and joined DFCC at its inception. As I wanted to move into the area of project analysis, I took up Chartered Institute of Management Accountants studies and completed the exams." The NDB was formed in 1979 and the World Bank invited Mr Fernando to join the NDB from DFCC where he was then number two. He joined NDB and started the Small and Medium Industries Division. The first credit line was from the World Bank. At the time he left NDB, it had five credit lines funding more than 50,000 projects in the country. "I took over as the NDB General Manager in 1989 and brought in a more private-oriented management style; creating a vision, articulating it to everyone in the organisation and creating an organisation structure to achieve this vision. This was the secret of lending portfolios and profits rising sharply. It was not a miracle performed by me; we all contributed towards these results. This is what I want the ministry to achieve," said a determined Mr Fernando. "I always worked hard and did all my exams while being employed. This has given me the required qualifications and experience to discharge my duties to the best of my ability." A father of three, Mr Fernando prefers to spend his leisure time with his grandson. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
