A first year without revenue did not persuade her to abandon the business she was determined to build. For Manoja Palliyaguru Jayawardhane, Director/CEO Automated Barcode Solutions and CloudSec Private Limited, learning technology informally in her thirties meant starting again with patience, courage and faith in herself. An Accountant who moved from finance into Automatic Identification and Systems Integration, she understands the demands of earning credibility without formal technology qualifications.

Yet motherhood remains the crown that gives her other achievements meaning. As a single parent, she learnt to prioritise responsibilities while pursuing the continuous learning her industry requires. That experience informs a leadership approach grounded in trust, listening and helping inexperienced technicians develop their skills. Her commitment extends to mentoring undergraduates and supporting women, differently-abled young people and vulnerable communities. In this interview, she reflects on reinvention, resilience and the purpose she finds in helping others grow.

Q: Your professional journey began in accounting, yet you went on to become a self-taught technology professional and eventually a woman CEO in the highly specialised field of Automatic Identification and Systems Integration. What gave you the courage to cross those boundaries, and what has that journey taught you about continually reinventing yourself as a woman and a leader?

My last job made me think about becoming an entrepreneur. The lessons I learnt and the desire to try out my skills encouraged me to consider leaving employment.
Learning technology informally in my thirties and taking a risk when I was unsure of the business’s sustainability was not easy. I am not afraid to take risks, try new things and explore opportunities.

Working in technology requires continuous learning and updating your knowledge to survive in a highly competitive market. Finding time for that while maintaining a work–life balance as a single parent was a challenge. But I think that is part of being a woman and a leader at the same time.

Q: You have carried many roles throughout your journey: finance professional, technology entrepreneur, CEO, mother, mentor and community contributor. How have these different “crowns” shaped one another, and which experiences outside the boardroom have had the greatest influence on the way you lead today?

Multitasking and managing time effectively are the keys to wearing many crowns at the same time. At one stage, I was struggling with many battles and trying to prioritise the tasks that were essential to survive.

That made me understand each of my roles individually and ensure that they did not clash with one another. Most importantly, I had to consider my role as a mother. I always thought that if I failed as a mother, everything would fail. Otherwise, there would be no value in any other achievement that brought fame and glory.

The greatest influence was the title “Mother”. I think it put everything else into the right place. Managing my responsibilities meant recognising the importance of each role, while keeping motherhood central to the way I approached my life and achievements.

Q: Technology and systems integration have traditionally been male-dominated fields, yet you have spent more than two decades building and leading a business in this space. What barriers have you encountered as a woman, and how have you transformed those challenges into strengths rather than allowing them to define your possibilities?

Even today, it is a male-dominated field, and twenty years ago it was more so than it is now. Initially, entering such a risky area, where I was unsure whether I could succeed, was the biggest challenge.

In the very first year, I had zero revenue. It took considerable effort to convince a client that I could do the job when I did not have a single reference. There was a great deal to learn before I could present solutions and secure business.

I had to learn from scratch, cultivate patience and have confidence and faith in myself. It was not easy to break through the barriers I faced in the field as someone without a formal qualification in technology.

Every challenge became a personal challenge to become stronger, and I challenged myself. I got better every day, improving my ability to withstand failures. I failed many times, lost a lot of money and was almost on the verge of giving up. Yet I turned things around with considerable courage.

Q: You have said that human capital is the most essential part of an organisation and that building people’s knowledge and confidence is central to your leadership. How has this philosophy influenced the culture you have created at Automated Barcode Solutions, and why do you believe a leader’s responsibility extends beyond business performance to developing others?

I believe in people and trust them. I train them to keep improving and deliver the best to clients. I give them the freedom to learn, accept their mistakes during the learning process and encourage them to learn new things.

I believe in their personal growth and recognise how effective they can be when you hear them out. Rather than micromanaging, I entrust them with duties and check on deliverables instead of measuring the number of hours they work.

Developing technicians who join us for their first job, with no experience, is a huge task. My motto is, “We all have a technician within us.” It is about understanding your inner skills and trusting yourself. This approach has proved very effective in helping people learn and develop confidence in their abilities.

Q: The theme of this edition is “Her Many Crowns”. As a CEO, professional and woman carrying multiple responsibilities, what are the different “crowns” you wear, and how have they shaped the leader you are today? Beyond business, you have devoted time to mentoring young people and supporting women, differently-abled youth and vulnerable communities. When you eventually look back on your journey, what would you like your most important “crown” to represent: business success, the people you empowered, the barriers you helped break, or something else entirely?

I am a people person, and I live with a purpose. My purpose is to help the community and empower people.

We all need a mentor from the day we are born. From our parents to our bosses at work, we need people who can guide us. I offer that support to undergraduates I do not know and to interns who join us for a few months.

I also support people facing psychological and physical challenges. I do not want people to feel helpless. I care and take action whenever possible.

The things I have done for those in need and society at large represent the biggest crown I wear, apart from motherhood. If I can help five people become like me, I think I have done my job. For me, that contribution to others is central to the purpose with which I live.