Business partners Rishen Fernando and Harin Nanayakkara of "E-futures Pvt. Ltd." were adjudged Sri Lanka’s top young entrepreneurs of 2002, at the finals of the third annual Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start-Up Awards held at Colombo, last Saturday.

E-futures, located in Colombo was initiated by Rishen and Harin in January 2000 and is a global digital solutions provider with a vision to develop tailor-made software solutions for governments of developing countries. Rishen and Harin feel, that while it is great to win the first prize of Rs. 200,000, the recognition and acknowledgement gained through winning the YBSA is more valuable.

"It is important that an entity such as LiveWIRE which concentrates on promoting and developing younger entrepreneurs exists—for example we can’t compete with the likes of large-scale entrepreneurs, but acknowledgement and encouragement is important to young enterprises too," says Rishen.

G. A. Nanadani Ajantha of "Susinidu Dresspoint", Tholangamuwa, Kegalle received the second prize of Rs. 75,000. In an attempt to survive in a highly competitive garments market, Nandani who started with a ready-made clothing business has now diversified into making environmentally friendly cloth bags. Identifying a need to develop an alternative to non-biodegradable cellophane and plastic bags that would be both durable and economical for consumers in the long-term, Nandani launched an environmentally-friendly cloth shopping bag close to World Environment Day. Nandani believes that Shell LiveWIRE recognises and appreciates innovation and creativity in the field of enterprise and endorses the LiveWIRE programme as a scheme for individuals who want to start a business or improve an existing one.

The third prize worth Rs. 35,000 was won by Hemantha Priyadarshi who owns and manages "Ishara Off-set Printers" at Middeniya in the Hambantota district. Hemantha says he started his printing business because he was unable to find employment elsewhere, but now regrets the time he wasted searching for a job.

Seven other young business people who made it to the finals received consolation prizes. Many of them agreed that the awards were a great way of recognising the efforts of young people in business.

Roberto Moran, Country Chairman and Managing Director Shell Sri Lanka, addressing the gathering said he believes that Shell LiveWIRE has started to make an important contribution towards generating new business start-ups and future success stories. He added, "the Shell LiveWIRE Trust, Sri Lanka encourages young Sri Lankans to realise that starting-up and operating a business of their own is not only a viable but an attractive option to conventional employment. This youth entrepreneurship programme, like the development of our other businesses in Sri Lanka, is an integral part of our contribution to the development of young Sri Lankans in particular and the economy in general."

Nilooka Dissanayake, Managing Editor of "Athwela Vyaparika Sangarawa", the Sinhala Business journal, also addressed the audience. Comparing starting a business to taking the first step of an unending journey, Nilooka highlighted the importance of constantly upgrading one’s knowledge and skills to keep up with changing times. She particularly stressed the need to be proactive; "do not only what you must do today, but try and do what you must do tomorrow, today," was her message to the entrepreneurial youth in the audience. Furthermore, complimentary copies of 2000-2001 magazines of the "Athwela" monthly were gifted to all ten finalists.

"We are pleased with the response we received from young people for this year’s competition. We had over 50 entries from ten districts including Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Kegalle and Matara and it is extremely encouraging to see the response to the programme in the rural areas," said Shell LiveWIRE Project Manager, Piyumi Samaraweera.

The Young Business Start-Up Awards scheme aims to recognise the achievements of young people between the ages of 18-32, who have been in business between three months and two years. To be considered for the awards, applicants had to submit a twelve-page business plan to Shell LiveWIRE. These business plans had to include a summary of the business, an analysis of the market entered, details of costing and pricing, a marketing plan and a cash flow statement.

Shell liveWIRE is a community investment initiative of Shell in Sri Lanka and aims to encourage youth entrepreneurship in the island. Shell LiveWIRE began operations in Sri Lanka in December 1999, and provides information on business start-up in Sinhala, Tamil and English. "If you are aged 16 - 32 and think you have got a head for starting up your own business, or if you know someone who has, you can receive a Shell LiveWIRE information leaflet".

(Press Release)