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Imesha’s passion for colours, shapes, ideas

Creativity plays a key role in shaping the ideas into monetary values. It also gives the momentum to do things differently and enables to achieve end results. If not for creativity the world would have been a monotonous place to live in. The jewellery designer in Imesha Wijewickrama proves to be a successful combination in building an effective business model for Sala Enterprises (Pvt) Limited.

Her involvement in this technology firm now operating as a family business by way of providing expertise in designing, architecture and interior decor has contributed immensely to become a reputed venture in the field of information technology.


Imesha’s passion for colours, shapes, ideas

Operating under the tag line ‘We make technology affordable’, Sala Enterprises has emerged as a popular choice for quality technology products within the reach of masses simultaneously making these products available in Sri Lanka when launched worldwide.

This move has ensured that highly advanced products are in the Sri Lankan market providing the opportunity for customers access to the latest technological devices without a time lag.

As the Advertising and Promotions Director she looks into minute details when it becomes her responsibility to maintain excellent standards in the work undertaken. When at work, her abundance of creativity knows no boundaries, but is focused on reaching targets always.

As IT is a constantly changing field, Imesha has kept vigil to track revolving trends to make Sala Enterprises ahead of time and aligned its futuristic approach by periodic product introduction to meet the technological transformation.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business. Excerpts of the interview.

Q. How do you describe your line of business?


Imesha Wijewickrama

A. My husband Chintaka Wijewickrama started Sala Enterprises in 1992. He was in the USA for nine years pursuing higher studies and came back to Sri Lanka to take care of his parents. The venture was started going beyond his liking to technological developments to make them available in the country.

The selling of Seiko Electronic Dictionaries gave the right opening for the business to flourish. We met in 1994 and married a year later. The venture was initially set up at Alfred Place and moved to Galle Road, Kollupitiya. At this point I joined Chintaka and after three years of hard work the business grew steadily.

We have been taking part in every Techno exhibition since inception and this boosted our sales volumes. We have won several awards and our pride has been computer assembling and selling. In the early years of business selling one computer on a given month was rewarding and it soon became ten computers per month. The gradual increase in sales, speaks for the technological thirst in the country and we see much potential and crave in the younger generation regarding IT. We strive to bring in latest technology and travel frequently to Singapore for purchases.

My contribution comes in the designing and organizing aspects where a blend of creativity and managerial skills is put into good use. The Sala Enterprises head office is located at Rajagiriya and we have few showrooms including in Pamankada and Pepiliyana.

Q. How do you strike a balance between family life and business?

A. The venture has become a full-time job for me. We have three sons, Malinda (13), Charitha (10) and Rakitha (7). As my mother lives next door things have become easier for me. She gives me the flexibility of spending more hours at generating businesses. However, once at home I see that the house is in order. I spend quality time with our children and help them in studies.

Q. What motivated you to venture into business on your own?

A. My business involvement comes as a case of attraction of opposites. When it comes to designing Chintaka has no clue and I fill the void. I also come from a business background and my father was involved in a successful food related venture. The liking for business is inherent and my creative talents were beneficial in running the business.

Q. What are your goals?

A. My prime concern is to think out-of-the-box. This comes with the goal to improve performance continuously. I make an effort to do the best in whatever I do, be it business or household. I try to achieve the best while giving the best within my capacity. This ambitious aim has made me to help the business to move in an upward curve and remain at the peak.

Q. How do you face competition?

A. I consider every step as a new beginning. I engage in business moves with an open mind to have room for perfection. Every challenge provides a lesson and competition is no difference.

Q. What example do you provide others?

A. I am a person who likes to see smiling faces. For this I go that extra mile in making others comfortable in whatever way possible. My value proposition is change for the better and I work to reach the desired level.

I am for sharing and caring and I want to provide inspiration in the efforts to make a difference in our society.

Q. What is your specialty?

A. I am a qualified jewellery designer. I also have the ability to do flower arrangements and making cakes.

I have made maximum use of my skills thanks to the business started by my husband. My passion is for colours and I have a dream of having a dessert parlour one day complimenting the culinary skills.

Q. What are your achievements in business?

A. We started in a humble way and the business has grown steadily. We have a reputation as a supplier of quality and timely technological products at affordable prices. We have a well connected dealer network islandwide for greater accessibility. When looking back from where we started and where we stand today, the entire journey is an achievement. We have stayed in front and the difficult part is to maintain this level.

The number of awards we won is testimony to our success. Among them are Sala Enterprises became the overall award winner at the Infotel 2008 and have won Techno awards consecutively.

The GPS solution was commended at the recently concluded e-Swarnabhimani event.

Q. What is your message to society?

A. The country needs socially conscious people and we need to play a key role in the development process to make Sri Lanka a better place. In realizing this, there should be a society that upholds family ties and values to mould productive citizens thus making them prime movers of economic progress.

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