Many BPO opportunities lost due to lack of English among youth - Tilak de Zoysa

“Sri Lanka lost many opportunities for employment in BPO companies which did not come here due to lack of English educated young people.

India gained in BPO employment and IT sector employment because there were sufficient English educated people within their country,” said Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of Associated Motorways PLC Tilak de Zoysa.

De Zoysa who is also a member of the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka was addressing a ceremony to award scholarships to children of company employees who passed the government grade 5 scholarship examination.

A Rs. 1,500 per month scholarship from year 1 up to university entrance together with a Rs. 700,000 insurance policy was also awarded to Ms. V.P. Udari Niwansala Pathirana of Rambukpitiya, Nawalapitiya.

Miss Pathirana’s father died in a road accident on duty and she entered the year 1 class this year. Ms. Dammika Priyangani Manike, the mother of Miss Pathirana received the award and the insurance policy from de Zoysa.

The other students who received grade 5 scholarships at the ceremony were as follows. S.A. Naween Dilanka-Meegoda Maha Vidyalaya, L.D. Tharika Dilani-Devi Balika Vidyalaya, K.R.P. Jayamali-Kegalle Balika Maha Vidalaya, H. Chethani Chandraratne-Presbyterian Vidyalaya, Chamara J. Wijetunga-President Vidyalaya, P.S. Haridi Tissera-Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya, J.C. Kosila Fernando-Pushpadana Balika Maha Vidyalaya, G. Lakmini Karannagoda-Thakshilava, Horana, V.G.M. Teekshana-Sri Dharmaloka Maha Vidyalaya, M.P. Abeykoon-Shantha Paulu Balika Maha Vidyalaya, U.P.R. Lahiruni-Lakshapana Maha Vidyalaya, H.A.H. Pasindu-Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya, Vinura L. Perera-D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya, K.H. Liyanage-Ashoka Vidyalaya, K.V. Saminda Kumara-President Vidyalaya.

De Zoysa also awarded long service awards to 13 employees also completed up to 30 years in the company. The grade 5 scholarships are being awarded every year to employees’ children who pass the government grade scholarship examination.