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By Chandani Jayatilleke

At sharp 3.30 pm last Wednesday at the Janashakthi office at Muttiah Road, walking a few feet ahead of me was my interviewee for this column, another proud son on Sri Lanka's soil. Walking beside him, holding his hand, I reckoned was his young son - Dinesh.

I follow them and enter the cosy room, with black and yellow interior - corporate colours of the organisation. To my astonishment, my interviewee (to be) says that he was not aware of this meeting and laughs.

He is surprisingly cheerful and jovial and his sense of humour is superb. That's typical of Chandra Schaffter, Managing Director of Janashakthi Insurance Company Ltd. People visualise Schaffter as a gentleman with bushy, white hair. But, he is known as a renowned cricketer (in the 50s), Manager of Sri Lanka's Cricket Team and brilliant insurance professional. For today's younger generation, Schaffter's professional life is a great inspiration and learning experience.

"What inspired me to achieve this success is my desire to do well in life," says Schaffter who has played a major role to develop the insurance industry in the country. He is the founder of the Janashakthi Insurance Company, one of the largest insurance companies in Sri Lanka at present. He toiled hard to make Janashkthi a reality several years prior to its launch in 1994.

The corporate name, logo and colours were also designed by him. The company Janashakthi is certainly one of his most cherished dreams. The company got into a kick start and business began to flourish. Last year, it reached the Rs. one billion mark in business with a 72 percent growth in general business and 40 percent in life business.

Janashakthi also accquired the management control of the National Insurance Corporation Ltd (NICL) following the purchase of a 51 percent of stake of NICL last year. It also entered the Maldivian market with the opening of a representative office in the main island, Male' recently.

"As a company Janashakhi enjoys the loyalty and affection of a large number of staff. It is because we are concerned about the welfare of our staff. We do whatever we can for them, whenever they are in need and the majority of them have confidence that in times of trouble Janashakthi will not let them down. We have tremendous loyalty among our staff."

Several of these loyal staff members walked in and out from his room during our meeting and our discussion was interrupted by regular phone calls too.

It was a crucial time; Schaffter was to fly to Sharjah, the next morning with the National Cricket Team - playing a tri-nation series there.

Insurance as a profession

There is plenty of scope in the insurance field as the market here is small and lucrative. There are also many opportunities for the youngsters to break into a very successful career.

Cricket

As a cricketer, playing for his alma mater S.Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and the country, Schaffter has earned a 'name' for the game. Cricket fans who had seen him playing still have vivid memories and much regard for his capabilities in the game. Today, as the manager of the cricket team, he renders his services to further improve the welfare of the team.

"Cricket teaches you what no other game teaches you. If you want to be a successful cricketer, you have to learn to play the game for the side, obey your captain and accept the umpire's judgement without argument.

These lessons will serve you well in life." As a professional engaged in two different responsibilities (in insurance and cricket), I find there is a big difference in running an institution such as Janashakthi and managing the national cricket team. They are two different sets of people who are focussed on achieving set goals. It's a stressful job, but by and large it is much interesting too.

In addition, his company Janashakthi plays a major role to promote Sri Lanka's cricket. It has also employed several young crickters including the spin master, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Advice to young people

He also has some advice for the younger generation. "Young people should understand that they cannot expect to receive things free. They shouldn't expect things on a platter. What you work hard and receive is far more valuable than what you get freely. Nothing is worthwhile unless you work for it."

What will be the priority in your agenda, if you become the President in Sri Lanka, I queried. Pat came the reply, "Peace". "But, I never considered myself to be a politician."

Personal life

I started my professional career as a clerk at the Ceylon Insurance Company in 1952. After an year I joined a Canadian company based in Colombo - Manufacturers Life and within three years I was promoted as branch secretary of the company.

Unfortunately after two years, the company - Manufacturers Life and Fund Life, another Canadinan firm decided to stop writing business in Sri Lanka. As a result, I had to look for another job and I joined the Insurance Department of Carson Cumberbatch and Company as an executive. Lawrence Jesuthasan was my Manager. Since I joined Carsons, Manufacturers Life transferred their business to Carsons. In late 1972, I resigned from Carsons and managed on my own as a consultant.

It was a risk to give up my job at that juncture. I had a young family of four children, but I was compelled to make that decision as my desire - to do well in life - overpowered me. Later I moved to India to work in the same capacity. My family also joined me as I wanted to educate my children (Prakash, Manjulaa, Dinesh and Ramesh) and provide them with a quality education. Back in Sri Lanka, I found P and I Brokers, with Ackland as the broking company. I also played a major role in setting up Eagle Insurance Company.

What I cherished most as a sportsman was the first Royal/Thomian match I played for. My third and last matches were also unforgettable as in the third I bowled well and in the last I captained my school team. My main interest in life at present is to spend as much time with my grand children which keeps me fully occupied. I have nine grandchildren whose association gives me much pleasure.

The work at Janashakthi takes me round the country. When it comes to holidaying, I prefer hilly stations to beaches. Before 1983, I used to spend much time at Nilaveli too, he says.

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Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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