Inspiring youth to join Jaffna
by Nilma Dole
 Dr. Arosha Fernando might have
five degrees under his belt but that hasn’t stopped him from looking
like a college freshman. Brimming with vigour and enthusiasm, Arosha is
the CEO of a leading Sri Lanka conglomerate in the field of
telecommunications.
Last year, he graduated with a doctorate in business administration
making it his fifth Australian university degree. Previously, he has
already received one Bachelors degree and three Masters degrees in the
fields of marketing, human resources management, project management and
telecommunication engineering in the last 16 years. Dr. Arosha’s career
has shone ever since he started his prominent career working at a
leading telecommunications company in Australia as a fresh graduate in
year 1994.
Thereafter, he has moved up the corporate rung by holding
distinguished positions like an Account Manager for the New Zealand
market, Deputy Project Manager, Project Manager, and finally Senior
Project Manager for a renowned GSM Project in Australia. Upon joining
his present company, Dr. Arosha expanded their global network to become
the market leader in telecommunication infrastructure development
particularly in GSM and CDMA technologies more recently.
He spoke to the Sunday Observer magazine about how our youth can make
a difference by joining together with our Jaffna brothers and sisters to
uplift the nation technologically. He said, “I was part of the
hardworking team to bring new technologies such as CDMA and 3G first
time to Sri Lanka. We even managed to launch 3G in Jaffna even before
peace under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.”
Highlighting about changing people’s attitude, he started becoming
friends with the people of Jaffna. He said, “Even though the ethnic
conflict has hampered proper technological development in Jaffna, we
always maintain a good rapport with the people telling that it’s more
for their benefit than our corporate achievement.” He further added, “We
make them understand that by protecting their communications network,
they can link with not only the rest of Sri Lanka but the world as
well.” Hence, with this mind-set, Arosha’s company set about to install
a number of telecom towers in Jaffna for a leading mobile communications
provider.
 This ensured that a majority of the telecom coverage of Jaffna was
secured. This was followed by commencing work in Mannar, Kilinochchi and
other key locations in the Northern Province for a number of
telecommunication operators too. “We overcame many obstacles to ensure
that we delivered solutions way ahead of deadlines,” he said.
He added, “We’ve seen changes with the conflict where there were
hartals and union strikes but we are glad to say that being an
equal-opportunity and satisfying employer, our workers always came to
work!” Arosha said that the armed forces have also been instrumental in
providing them with mobility and access plus the government officials
have also been accommodating.
Today, the youth can enjoy unlimited internet services in the way of
GPRS, internet browsing and a whole host of connectivity that would help
them make friends with youth in other parts of the island.
Arosha, who likes to indulge in swimming when not working, said that
they try as much as possible to recruit capable individuals preferably
from the Northern Province with a few exemptions. “In fact, when we were
having interviews for budding engineers, we met many youth residing in
Colombo who hailed from Jaffna but fled during the war.
They are now keen to go back home and serve their hometown after the
peace with their knowledge and skills, thereby inspiring others to
follow suit,” he said. Arosha mentioned that such youth have been
dedicated, committed and hardworking individuals who have been loyal to
the company.
Besides being very focused and training his young team, Arosha has
plenty of good to say about Jaffna. “As a Sri Lankan, I have been to
Jaffna many times now and I am pleased to say that their hospitality is
quite the best!” he noted. He added, “They place good trust in you once
you make them understand and be their friend”.
 Arosha sees great potential for Jaffna to prosper but only if our
youth and younger generation see the importance of helping our people.
Dr. Arosha Fernando is a fitting example of being an academic
professional you should always come and give back to your country
especially at a time when our nation’s development is taking place.
Arosha said, “You should be honest to yourself and have a vision and a
dream and the other ingredients will follow if you have these two”.
Arosha’s believes that one should give the fullest commitment to the
duty and they should have the ability to take up challenges. “My advice
is for our youth is to first go and see Jaffna without having a negative
picture but open your heart and have your arms wide open to embrace our
brothers and sisters in Jaffna” he mentioned.
He added, “We should realise that they are human beings too and by
connecting and linking with them, we are not only forming friendships
but ultimately joining with Jaffna to make our country peaceful and
prosperous together!” |
