We recently had the privilege of interviewing Ms Lanka Jayasinghe, Director of Operations & Administration at Home Lands Group, whose journey in the real estate industry has been nothing short of inspiring. From an early passion for engineering, she demonstrated exceptional skill in mathematics, which laid the foundation for her career path. Although her initial ambition was to become an engineer, her career took a different turn, leading her into the real estate sector, where she has now accumulated over 20 years of experience.

Starting as a survey draftsman in 2003, Lanka Jayasinghe made the bold move from her hometown of Welimada to Colombo, embracing challenges and seizing every opportunity to grow. Despite the limited resources available at the time, she advanced her knowledge through self-study and curiosity, overcoming obstacles to expand her expertise in real estate operations and administration.

A firm believer in the power of hard work and leadership, she has risen to oversee the operations of Home Lands Group, a company with over 750 employees. Her dedication and commitment to excellence were recently recognised when she received the prestigious Leadership Excellence Platinum Award, a reflection of her unwavering passion and dedication.

Below are excerpts from the interview, where Lanka Jayasinghe shares insights into her journey, challenges, and advice for aspiring professionals.

1. Would you share a memorable moment or experience from your childhood that you believe has influenced your journey to success?

Since childhood, I aspired to become an engineer. My interest in mathematics started early in my school days, and with that, I chose mathematics for Advanced Level, which I was skilled at. Although my aspiration was to be an engineer, I chose my career path of becoming a Land Surveyor, as this field is closely associated with engineering which influenced me to change my career path. Further, my passion for engineering led me to pursue a career in this field, and reflecting on my journey so far, I am incredibly proud of the achievements and the path I have chosen.

2. What inspired you to pursue your current career path, and how has that journey unfolded for you?

As a person who thrives in a challenging work environment, my inner instinct is to take on new challenges and responsibilities and actively get involved in things around me. I always wanted to unleash the leadership potential in me and, for that, worked hard from the very beginning of my career. In my work life, I have been fascinated and intrigued by great leaders in the world of business. A question I often asked myself was, “What is it about those leaders that makes them stand out?” Believing in my potential and the skills I possess has helped me achieve corporate goals, and years of hard work and dedication have paid off with me at the helm of several leadership roles and currently overseeing the operations & administration of the Home Lands Group of Companies, which consists of a staff of more than 750.

3. Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

When I started my career at Home Lands Group as a survey draftsman back in 2003, I had to move from my hometown Welimada to Colombo. There were many challenges along the way, especially in terms of opportunities for enhancing knowledge. At the time, there weren’t enough resources available, so I had to work extremely hard to advance my knowledge. For example, we now have a plethora of knowledge available to us through the internet. I had to conduct self-studies and research, which initially required a learning curve while I was working. Nonetheless, my insatiable curiosity and work-related experience allowed me to broaden my understanding of the real estate sector, how to manage overall operations & administration, and more.

4. How do you maintain motivation and drive in your work, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks?

As you know, obstacles and setbacks are part of life, and as human beings, it is natural for us to make mistakes. But if you are willing to accept and correct your mistakes, you have a journey ahead. You need to expect challenges and obstacles, especially in the corporate world. My biggest motivation is the passion to give the best for my company, which I am always willing to do. Hence, I accept any challenges coming my way and strive to find the best possible solution. When you are faced with an obstacle, staying calm and positive is the best way forward to overcoming it and moving forward stronger than ever.

5. What do you think about achieving this Leadership Excellence Platinum Award?

I am humbled and proud to receive this prestigious accolade from one of the esteemed awards events that recognise the outstanding efforts of corporate leaders worldwide. It is indeed a milestone achievement in my career, which spans more than 20 years. For me, this is not merely an award but a special recognition that reflects hard work and dedication, which continues to inspire me to go that extra mile for the success of my company. I believe awards ceremonies of this calibre are of significant importance to uplift young corporate leaders and give them the due recognition.

6. What advice would you give to other young professionals aspiring to achieve similar success in their respective fields?

My advice for them is to embrace your strengths, have courage, and be confident in whatever you do. You need to determine where you want to be in another five years, and once you set a target, persist in achieving that. One of the key traits that drives you forward in the corporate world is expanding your knowledge as much as you can. Unlike the past, there are ample resources available, so you don’t need to stick to a single framework; you can always explore new avenues and build a good corporate reputation. If you are truly committed, it is possible for you to grow as a leader, and for that, you need to prove that you are special and set yourself apart from the rest.

Aspiring leaders need to prioritise developing innovative skills, and they are expected to push boundaries in this highly competitive world.