CodeGen to expand to Hambantota

by Surekha GALAGODA

CodeGen, provider of travel sector software globally celebrated its 10th anniversary last week.

CEO of CodeGen, Dr. Harsha Subasinghe said that Travel Box Technology is the advanced software solution suite built in a modular format enabling CodeGen to provide a highly versatile and user specific solution capable of supporting all sectors of the tourism industry. It offers a next generation innovative and revolutionary web service based technology and is used by airlines, tour operators, hotels and destination management companies around the world which include some of the well-known brands such as Virgin, Saga, Transat and Qantas.

CEO CodeGen, Dr. Harsha Subasinghe pic by Chinthaka Kumarasinghe

The support centre which operates 24 hours a day seven days of the week is based in Sri Lanka.

He said that though well-known brands use TravelBox it was designed, developed and engineered in Sri Lanka which proves the power of human capital in Sri Lanka. He said that Sri Lanka has some of the best brains in the world but the biggest threat faced by the country is braindrain. According to statistics the loss to the country per person ranges between $ 600,000-1 m due to braindrain.

Dr. Subasinghe said that the human resource in Sri Lanka is like uncut gems. They lack innovation, their quality is poor, but with proper guidance and freedom they are second to none. Lack of innovation and the low standards in quality is attributed to the education system which does not encourage innovation in children. In addition, our minds have settled for second class stuff. Therefore change in attitude to get the best and give the best while bringing out innovation has been done in a systematic manner and it is paying dividends now.

He said that Toast Masters clubs and developing communication are some of the steps taken by CodeGen to improve the quality of its people. In addition more than 50 percent of his staff had gone abroad which has helped them experience the difference and adapt to it. In addition the company takes university students and has placements for them which include professional guidance. Therefore, by the time they graduate they have worked in a real life environment and they have an edge above others.

Dr. Subasinghe's dream is to create a city of experts, this need not only be in software, it can also include sectors such as medical science, accounting and international law. He said that a few years ago India established such a city. The main reason was to give people the space as people need to have peace of mind so that they can be innovative.

He said that they have already donated a few computers to some schools in Hambantota.

The company is also planning to set up a branch in Hambantota.

The reason is that 80 per cent of the staff of CodeGen are from the South and it will help them to innovate more in a relaxed environment while they will be close to their families. He said that in time to come Hambantota will be a city better than Dubai or Singapore, in keeping with the government's vision. He said that they will recruit staff from around Hambantota while some areas of the operations will be shifted.

At present CodeGen employs around 150 software engineers many with first class honours degrees and MBAs.

To further enhance their career the company sponsors them to do their Masters, MBAs or Phds.

He said that the western world values the knowledge possessed by a person while in Sri Lanka the external appearance is the key. We at CodeGen value knowledge and therefore the staff can dress casually and be free of all worries.

Most importantly at CodeGen you can find your own wisdom, said a confident Subasinghe who encourages his staff to meditate.

Founded in 1999, CodeGen is a private limited company and has offices in London, United Kingdom and Colombo. It has already internationalized a local software brand and earned a good reputation as being a very customer focused Software Company. Advanced Tourism Solutions is the latest addition to CodeGen's portfolio, built using the most upto date technology allowing businesses to maintain a strong presence in the e-world.