Convincing speaker

by Lakmal Welabada

Burke said that great men are the guide-posts and landmarks in the States, and according to Washington Irvin, great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Lahiru Sampath Thirimavithana is a young Human Resources administrator with a difference, and is also a personality development consultant. His designations have to be trimmed in order to accommodate his many titles.

Sampath is just 28 years. His matured thoughts and philosophical vision has given him an erudite personality. "My wife sometimes asks me when I will to have friends of my own age, as most of my association is with people in their forties. I don't know. It just happens. I am not! I deal with all ages without any problem," he smiles gracefully.

Being the Chief Executive Officer at the Lanka Institute of Business Management (LIBM), Sampath has been able to do a great service to youth much beyond his capacity. His determination to rise in life has already brought him to the peak. But he does not work for 'perks'. "self satisfaction should follow me as a shadow," he smiles. This might have been the reason that made him speak on positive thinking and personality development.

Born as the youngest to a Marketing Director father, late Kulawansa Thirimavithana and a retired teacher mother Manel Thirimavithana, Sampath was brought up in a middle class family with three sisters at Aravwala.

He studied at D.S.Senanayake Vidyalaya, Colombo and sat for the A/Ls in the Bio-science stream. "I wanted to be a doctor. But lost the chance by six marks. But I entered Colombo University to follow Microbiology.

I got the Mahapola scholarship as well. I could have continued my academic studies. But when strikes and problems continued at the campus, I began to lose interest. My parents tried to send me abroad, but I didn't want to tax my parents too much. So I joined Seylan Bank as the banking assistant. And I've never regretted the decision," he says.

Sampath was an all-rounder at indoor activities at school. Although he was not much in favour of sports , he was highly involved in many extra activities. Oratory competitions and debates proved his 'word power'.

He was the school compere as well. His bilingual skills opened many links, which has helped him a lot. Even while at campus and then at Seylan Bank, he was called for guest presentations on positive thinking and personality development. Gradually the school level presentations were expanded into mass lectures at office level.

All his superiors from Seylan Bank to LIBM know his skill for delivering speeches, . It opened many doors for him. Sampath was still doing his CIMA exams when he got the opportunity to be the Senior Product Development Analyst at the Soft Logic-Abacus International, the largest global distribution system in the Asia Pacific region. "they wanted people with good presentation skills.

This gave me a chance to train leading travel agencies in Sri Lanka also in Singapore. The training was under two categories. In the 'sales' we train them how to approach and influence customers to buy the product (software) inclusive product demonstration. Secondly we train company staff members in Front, Mid and Back offices. In Front management, we train them how to smile and be courteous.

It was a turning point in his life. While training his own company staff during the whole week, Sampath started training other company members on a freelance basis, during the weekends. He worked and worked. "I enjoy my work," he smiles.

"I was keen to come up in life. Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, the number one Multi National Company in UK has been my idol. I have fulfilled many targets in my life. To meet him is my dream. Branson was a college drop out like me. I read his autobiography 'Loosing my Virginity' when I was working at Soft-Logic Abacus. Apart from him, I like all the great inspiring characters including Bill Gates, Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton," says Sampath.

'Secrets of superior service workshop', the half-a-day programme held at the BMICH in September 2002, was another turning point in his life as he presented it to 100 travel agencies and airlines. It was an unacceptable and invaluable successful hit! He was congratulated by everybody. After this he was asked to conduct presentations at almost every company.

After Abacus, Sampath joined HSBC Global Centre as the Assistant Manager - Training Soft Skill Development. So he got the chance to train more than 800 new recruits on soft skills inclusive customer care service, supervisory skills, leadership, creativity and coaching.

To get the opportunity to train the HSBC staff in India was another turning point in his life. "Before the presentation I felt that the Indians were somewhat not welcoming me. I saw it in their eyes when they exclaimed - 'Oh! a Sri Lankan is going to coach us!'. But everything changed after the presentation. They were so happy and congratulated me . It was so touching," he grins.

Question : You have been talking a lot about your career. What about your personal life? Sampath : Well, I am married. She is Ransirini, working as an Executive at Brandix Apparels. We got to know each other during the A/Ls and got married after a 5-year love affair. She is also a very out going person, so we haven't found any difficulty in getting on so far. She is a very understanding and supportive wife.

From HSBC he joined LIBM where he has found the work more interesting. : we conduct skills development programmes for unemployed graduates and those below the poverty line. Most of them lack an English knowledge. That is the only disadvantage, I see in them as they are really powerful in their thinking. Empowering youth with knowledge and proper guidance is a concept of our chairman, Mr.Ashok Pathirage" he explains.

Sampath is a workaholic and rational in his thinking. "Lecturing is my hobby too. But, music is my passion. I've composed tunes for many up and coming singers. I am addicted to news - reading and watching TV.

Politics -both local and global is among my main interests. My wife doesn't find me bored, as we have many things in common. Also do not call me 'rational' only, as I am a guy with emotions too. I love people. I love my mom. I love children. My wife and I are hoping to have a family very soon," he laughs.

"Serving the country is my goal, of course not being a politician," he concludes.