Young entrepreneurs win awards
by Surekha Galagoda
Ms. Nimesha De Silva of Musaeus College won the Daily News award for
the Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the 10th Annual
Award ceremony of the Young Entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka (YESL) ceremony
on Monday at the BMICH.
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Winners all. Suwan Fernando, Nimesha De Silva and Mahesha
Kalyani with YESL, CEO - Premasiri Weliwita and Director of
Economic Growth USAID - Richard Edwards. |
Miss Mahesha Kalyani of Mahiyangana National School was adjudged the
Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneur (Girl) while Suwan Fernando of
Ananda College was adjudged the Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneur
(boy).
President of YESL, Patrick Amarasinghe said that the organisation was
founded in 1998 with the pilot project being launched in nine schools.
The program now covers 35,000 students in 350 schools. Amarasinghe
said that the program targets 10% of the school population within the
next 6-7 years. He said, "we can't change the past but we can build the
future. Therefore we will launch a special program in January to link
the schools in the East and the South".
Director of Economic Growth, USAID, Richard Edwards said that YESL
gives an excellent introduction to team work, contributes to quality and
teaches how to transform ideas into real time experiences.
He said that the YESL program has grown 12% compared to last year.
Edwards said that they were happy to support the program because it
is about business creators rather than job seekers. President JA South
Nevada Alan Diskin said "no matter where you live all of you have the
same opportunity therefore try hard."
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Children show some items made of paddy to the Guest of Honour,
Richard Edwards, Director of Economic Growth USAID.
Pix by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
Chief Executive Officer, YESL, Premasiri Weliwita said YESL is
growing in numbers and quality and will open a regional office in the
East soon.
YESL is a non-profit organisation incorporated as a Member Nation
Franchise Holder of Junior Achievement Worldwide.
The organisation aims at educating school children on
entrepreneurship including business economics, finance, marketing and
human resource management. The program is approved by the Ministry of
Education and is funded by business community, foundations and
individuals.
YESL conducts business programs from grade one to 13 at elementary,
middle and high school levels, in 350 schools in Sri Lanka.
[email protected]
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