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by Chamitha Kuruppu

The life she lives and responsibilities she holds varies from an ordinary 22-year-old. Though her day passes among financial statements, management reports, investment appraisals and capital expenditure budgets petite Belinda Fernando says 'I live life to the fullest' without any complaints.

Belinda belongs to the category of a few people who have put Sri Lanka on the world map and brought international recognition to the country through their achievements. She won the Institute Prize for the highest marks in the world at CIMA level one and the Ronald Dunkerly Memorial Prize for the highest marks in the world for Economic Environment in May 1997 at the age of 16 and still holds the record of being the youngest ever to win these awards.

Belinda defines herself as a 'somewhat perfectionist'. When I am passionate about something I am really determined. I am also very well focused on what I am doing. Therefore, when I set the mind on something I do not detach from it, she slowly reveals secrets behind her success.

At 21 Belinda obtained the Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK and won the associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK in December 2000.

"I am not an exceptionally gifted person, Belinda says recalling that not only herself but even her parents had to go through many difficulties to be what she is today. "But I never gave up," she said.

Her target since childhood to be a well-rounded person not only in her career but also in every aspect of life has contributed immensely towards all her achievements.

Young Belinda works as a Management Accountant at the MAS Holdings (Pvt.) Limited. She joined Slimline (Pvt) Limited as an Assistant Accountant in 1999 and was working as an Accountant when she moved into the head office in Colombo in March last year. She studied at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya up to grade eight completed her Ordinary Level at the Royal Institute and Advanced Level at the Colombo School of Economics and Management.

Belinda who always wanted to get into the financial line started CIMA after completing her school education through the guidance and motivation of her school principal Mrs. Anula Rajapakse.

While doing her level one in CIMA Belinda joined Pan Asia Bank from where she gained her maiden working experience.

More than having a designation I wanted to be independent and self-sufficient and I dreamt of moving out at 18 and living on my own, Belinda chuckles and gives excuses why she had to start working at a comparatively tender age.

However, following her brilliant performance in CIMA level one Belinda decided to quit the job and got into full time studies.

Belinda also bagged the Ernst and Young Award for the best performance in Sri Lanka at CIMA level two in November 2002 and the People's Bank award for the best performance in Sri Lanka in Strategic Information Management at level four November 1998.

Her professional achievements and research background boasts of being a member of the core team that made a five-year strategy for the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry on behalf of the Sri Lankan Exporters' Association. The detailed study and recommendations were incorporated into the Regaining Sri Lanka initiative of the government.

She was also involved in the Hyperion Consolidation Software Implementation 2001 as a member of the Business Team that customised and implemented Hyperion Software across 14 group companies.

Belinda assisted the core-team in the customisation of SAP R/3 and trained the Finance Department in the usage of the ERP system at Slimline (Pvt) Limited.

The strategic plan for the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry (CIMA Conference 2001) Vendor Partnerships (KSA Technopak Conference India 2001) and Formula for Business Success (CIMA National Conference 2000) are some of the other research papers she had worked on.

She also created a business web site for B.R. De Silva and Company in 1999, one of the top five audit firms in Sri Lanka.

Belinda thanked her parents for all the support they have given her throughout the life. When I was studying for my examinations I used to stay up till three or four in the morning and my mother was also with me without any sleep to make sure she was there to make me a cup of milk.

She also speaks with gratitude about Nihal de Silva, Dian Gomes, Sanjaya Senanayake and her current boss Sharmini Ratwatte for the courage and support they have given her in her corporate life. "They all were keen in making sure that I have a well curved career".

Setting up goals are important and how far one pushes themselves to achieve those goals are equally important. And when you have people to support them one can easily make their wishes a reality.

Speaking through her own experience Belinda says that one should not wait till he or she leaves school to decide about their career. " Have your ambitions early in life".

What's her advice for youth? To have a well shaped life it is important to have two aspects; to be thorough in techniques as well as to have a soft side that is to have values, principles and integrity.

Getting along with others and having the ability to work along with people are also vital.

Belinda's excellent performance in studies has not kept her away from living a normal life when she was in school. " Everybody called me a tom boy even I see my self as a wild child during my school days," she chuckled.

She is also a licenciate of the Trinity College of London (LTCL) in Speech and Drama (2002) and teaching speech and drama to children since 2001. She has done a thesis on the topic Voice and Speech Development of 12-14 year old Sri Lankan students.

Belinda's hobbies are swimming, writing poetry, fiction and reading. Belinda wants to publish a book of poetry. I have a collection of nearly 25 poems. But that is not enough to publish a book. When I am old and retire from work I will have enough time to work on more poems and publish my book, she said.

What do all these achievements mean to Belinda? I want to continue growing my self - if I don't achieve anything I feel discomfort - for me it's the way of life. Actually it's like bread and butter all my achievements and performances sustain my life.

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