“Sometimes we tend to manage teams in a very conventional way, but after you follow the MBA from University of Bedfordshire, you find tools that can easily resolve matters that you were longing to resolve with your intuition” He is the luminary General Manager of Laboratory Services at Hemas Hospitals, stands as a beacon of transformative leadership in Sri Lanka's healthcare arena. A trailblazer with an MD from TVER State University, an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire, and esteemed qualifications from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), He has seamlessly integrates medical prowess with strategic acumen. As the driving force behind Hemas Hospitals, he was fundamental in orchestrating the establishment of the nation's largest company-owned laboratory network, including the groundbreaking Rs. 1.5 billion PCR laboratory and Antigen facility. Under his visionary guidance, Sri Lanka witnessed the advent of 'Labs on Wheels,' a pioneering mobile laboratory service offering free home testing—an innovation that reverberated across the healthcare industry.

“Coming from a military background, definitely the MBA which I did contributed for me to see things from a different perspective, the way I used to see things when I was in the services and now I see things from a different perspective.” Throughout his distinguished service in the Sri Lanka Air Force, he undertook pivotal roles, including Deputy Director Administration (Personnel) and Director General Administration. His strategic acumen in Human Resource Management (HRM) shone brightly during his tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff, where he masterfully integrated organizational HR and admin strategies with evolving technology. Under his guidance, the Sri Lanka Air Force witnessed transformative changes in workflow, budgeting, and strategic HR planning, aligning the organization with contemporary trends. His adaptability and foresight not only met the challenges of the time but also laid the foundation for a technologically advanced and efficient Sri Lanka Air Force.

“When you have a candidate coming out of OCB, I think the you can easily recognize the quality of knowledge they possess, which is pretty much outstanding!” Currently serving as the Managing Director of Flintec Transducers (Pvt) Ltd since April 2012, he has exhibited unparalleled prowess in steering a manufacturing facility with 1,000 employees to new heights of efficiency and productivity by elevating the company from USD 27Mn in 2012 to a colossal USD 55Mn enterprise. His multifaceted responsibilities span across crucial business areas, including R&D, Logistics, Production, HR, FM, IT, QA, and Finance. A true visionary, he ensures the well-being of his team, fostering a 100% engaged workforce. Committed to environmental sustainability, he has set forth an ambitious goal of achieving CO2 neutrality by 2030. Armed with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and adorned with a Six Sigma Green Belt, he embodies excellence in academic and professional spheres.

When, like Gayan, you have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for what you do, learning can be really enjoyable, rewarding and even addictive. Graduating from University of Bedfordshire with an MBA in Marketing and the recipient of the 2021 Valedictorian Award, he explain his online learning experience in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic whilst sharing some valuable knowledge and tips to current and prospective MBA students.

Shalaka Wijeyaratne, describes his MBA experience at Oxford College of Business (OCB) as an enlightening learning curve, discovering strengths and the impact it has had on his full-time role as Senior Manager Property Development at CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. Being apart of OCB's business community was a valuable resource that allowed him to discuss business strategies with peers from across different industries.