Shiromal Cooray talks about

by Zanita Careem

A multitude of several roles, Shiromal Cooray, sister of well known hotelier Hiran Cooray managing director of Jetwing Group of Companies stands out amongst all others when it comes to her story of success and entrepreneurship. She is the Managing Director of Jetwing Travels and Chairman of Jetwing Hotels. However, her role in life is not confined to this. She manages multiple roles with the same ease and grace. A voice for women’s equality, an active industry supporter, a woman entrepreneur, and of course a travel personality , mother and what not!

Q: What are your career milestones?

A: I started as an audit clerk at Ernst and young( then Turquand Young) in Colombo. Then went on to the UK and worked as a Trainee Management Accountant.

My first appointment In Sri Lanka was as the Finance Manager at J Walter Thompson, a popular advertising company. I was privileged to be working under two excellent individuals who moulded my professional career. Working with group of brilliant and talented people it set a benchmark in my career to move forward. I realized the importance of creativity then. I ended up being the Director of Finance and administration.

Later I joined Jetwing travels, in its infancy. By then, my brother was already working with our Dad in the Hotels. I saw the growth, the progress of the company, and the team spirit of the associates and their passion, and was very proud of it.

I also witnessed the beginning and expansion of an investment Bank CAL, the resurgence of a commodity broker, Ceylon Tea Brokers and the birth of a logistics company Logicare, with my partner Ajith. These were great experiences in my life.

To join the Board at the Commercial Bank as an independent non executive and later the Allianz Insurance, Sri Lanka, gave me the much needed experience and exposure to other industries creating a diversity in my career.

Q:

Does the problem of gender bias still exists’ How do you account for this

A: Yes gender bias still exists sometimes consciously but also at times unconsciously. I have seen that most companies in Sri Lanka have sugar coated pills showing the gender equality in beautifully crafted documents, incorporating in their annual reports,adding and giving awards to those female members etc. They also portray a friendly demeanour and make high sounding slogans supporting the women workforce but sadly in practise most don’t walk the talk. This gender stereotype is prevalent in most places still and gender biases are rooted deeply and it is hard to overcome in Sri Lanka and the world. But much progress has happened and the future looks bright for females .

I have been often Been asked by callers in office Are you the secretary and can you connect me to Shiromal Cooray on line. Why/ I used to wonder that people found it surprising to accept the fact that the head or the Managing Director of a company can be a woman. This is a common trait not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world . They think women are weak, cant work for long hours and don’t have the ability. In the past trail blazing women have proved this wrong. Now both in Sri Lanka and overseas women are showing their ability to multi task and take on the roles of care giver and business leader.

Q:

What motivates an entrepreneur like you to climb the ladder of success/

> A: I don’t consider myself as an entrepreneur at all. My father was an entrepreneur .My brother and I consider ourselves as custodians of our business which we are so proud of. Our father created this group giving employment to many. My brother and myself together with Ruan Samarasinghe and a wonderful team have worked to ensure the business will expand and grow.

However what motivates me is seeing our teams working passionately towards our common goals. Our founder’s dream was to create a ‘service culture’ that is ‘legendary’ one that people will talk about and be proud of The teams both at the hotel and the travel sector are continuing to focus and achieve this goal, this motivates me to keep striving harder.

Q:

Are you proud of what you have achieved so far

A:

Yes I am so humbled and proud by what the team and I have achieved so far, we have created an opportunity to showcase our beautiful Sri Lanka to both locals and tourists alike. We are a hospitable nation noted for our smiles and we strive to ensure the brand Jetwing remains as the best hospitality provider in our country.

Q:

What are your challenges and how did you overcome?

A:

I faced many obstacles In my career. I was a whistle blower and even lost my job in the process. That really exposed me to another world and showed how naive I was. But this was also the turning point in my career.

Most often, I have been the only woman at a discussion and getting my opinion heard was difficult at the beginning. Things are certainly changing now as women’s points of view are seriously considered.

Q:

The challenges of being a working mum

A:

It was difficult but I took it up with a positive note. This is going to be themost challenging area for a woman to navigate. The emotions of being a mum and the responsibilities at work are always going to play. She needs to learn to compromise and realize you cannot have it all, or be perfect in everything. Once you realize that navigating the multiple roles become much easier. Sometimes . I have had to juggle between work and office. My mother, in laws and great domestic help made my life that much easier. I am so grateful to them for letting me enjoy motherhood and a career.

Q:

Your strength and weaknesses

A:

My faith and family. I have complete trust in God, My parents my brother,my partner and my son were beside me whenever I wanted them.

I try to look at a problem from different perspectives and try to find solutions.

Q:

The weaknesses

A:

I always believe in the truth and I don’t want to conceal what I really feel. Often people don’t like direct talk. I am very bad at sugar coating things and this puts me in trouble very often. I am often told that the problem with me is not what I say but how I say it, though I keep trying to change haven’t been successful.

Q:

Can you reflect on your success

A:

I worked with a personality with high principles,this was my father who had a deep understanding of people. He always wanted the company to grow with the people. He viewed me as a capable woman For him men and womenwere equal and there was absolutely no glass ceilings . Both my brother and I were given the same opportunities for education and personal development.

Q:

Born and bred into a business family what are your privileges.

A:

Our parents worked selflessly towards the progress of the company and their children. We received a very sound education. We saw how focused one has to be to achieve your goals. The importance of family and working together.

Our associates at Jetwing helped one another, to stand in unison to build the company, Some of the staff members rose to high positions and got the opportunity to climb the ladder of success that was a great achievement and a wonderful experience.

Q:

Did you join the family business by choice

A:

Yes, definitely by choice. Nobody could force me and I had the freedom to chose my own path. I am happy with what I am.

Q:

Your passion

A:

Reading, love to read biographies, travelling and exploring new exotic places. I must mention during my travel I visited Mongolia. I was mesmerised by the beauty of the country and simplicity of the nomadic people.

Q:

Your mantra

A:

Love to help people whenever possible.

Q:

Your source of inspiration that helped you to build your career

A:

My father inspired me to build my career. My father’s choice was to make me to be a doctor, but Circumstances made me what I am today. However I am happy with my self and studying accountancy was my choice Too.

Q:

Who are your mentors

A:

My parents. My mother still instills good values and advises me. My parents have taught me to be humble, to appreciate simple things in life faith, work hard and to help each other.