User:LeemaLK/sandbox

= Channa Wijesekara = Hikkaduwa Liyanage Channa Gamini Wijesekara (born on 30.03.1951) is a Sri Lankan award-winning entrepreneur, industrialist, and author. He founded Leema Creations (Pvt) Ltd. in 2000, which is today the foremost interior solutions provider in Sri Lanka with one of the largest and most modern furniture manufacturing plants in the country.

After a successful stint with the government-affiliated National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), he set out on a mission to start his own business and do more for society. With a humble beginning and a small capital, Channa established his first wood workshop in Nittambuwa, remote Western Province. In addition to Channa himself, a few employees were recruited to create high-quality kitchen cabinets for a small number of customers.

By the year 2005 Channa had constructed a new factory complex at Dompe in Gampaha District & equipped it with state-of-the-art CNC & PLC wood processing machines. With this new investment, the company leaped forward in its development. The company's motto is to train and retrain employees in all technical aspects.

By 2010, his company, Leema Creations, had grown to employ over 250 personnel and serve a clientele that includes state and private banks, foreign missions, multi-national conglomerates, five-star hotels, high-end residences, hospitals, restaurants, and ultra-luxury apartments.

In 2010, for the first time in his business career, Channa was recognize

d as the winner of a Provincial Bronze Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the year 2010 from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Sri Lanka (FCCISL). Since then, his company, Leema Creations, has won a total of 25 international and local awards in various categories, starting from small-scale industries to extra-large industries category. (Content)

Channa Wijesekara has led his company to be the most sought-after interior specialist in Sri Lanka, operating under *ISO 9001:2015* certification and guidelines. In addition, the 80,000 square-foot manufacturing plant is equipped with the most modern and advanced computerized precision machinery that provides the highest quality furniture and fittings.

Channa Wijesekara has become a prominent figure in society and in the Sri Lankan business arena for his scholarly and philosophical approach to business and life. He is currently holding many important positions, such as Chairman-Advisory Council on Wood & Wood Based Industry, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, President – Wood & Wood Based Industrialists Association of Sri Lanka. Channa was also served as a board member of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL) & Manufacturing and Engineering Services Industry Skills Council (MESCO).

Contents

 * 1) Early life and education
 * 2) Career in Government service.
 * 3) Business career.
 * 4) Writer and author.
 * 5) Experience.
 * 6) Overseas training.
 * 7) Honours and awards.
 * 8) Positions held/retaining.
 * 9) List of books published.
 * 10) External links.

Early Life and education
Channa was born in Mirissa in the Matara District in the southern province of Sri Lanka to H.G.D Rathnaweera & H.L.A.L Wijesekara, who were teachers by profession. Channa grew up under strict control because his father was the headmaster of a provincial school. The childhood experience prepared him to become a disciplined adult later in life. Following primary education at his native village school, Makandura Maha Vidhyalaya, he moved to the prestigious Richmond College in Galle for secondary education. He was deeply engaged in drama and oratory activities during the entire term at Richmond College. He moved to Nalanda College in Colombo in 1970 to complete his schooling.

In 1973 Channa gained entry to the University of Moratuwa to study for the National Diploma in Technology, passed out, and joined the government service as an assistant irrigation officer. Since then, he has held various positions, such as lecturer at NAITA.

Career in government service
While in government service, Channa won a scholarship to travel to Germany and learn wood technology. This altered his life, allowing him to later become a successful entrepreneur.He enrolled at the institute in June 1981 and studied subjects such as wood technology and interior fit-outs.

On his return from Germany, he rejoined the public service and became a lecturer. In his stint at IETI - NAITA, he was able to produce hundreds of successful students due to the teaching methods deployed and the knowledge gained from German education.

Business Career
After a successful career in teaching in the government service, Channa has worked in several private-sector organizations as a specialist wood technologist, holding various designations. With experience in the private sector for a brief period, he established a micro-scale business in a remote western province location and named it "Leema" (later Leema Creations and Leema Interiors). His company began by making wooden pantry cabinets and interior fitouts.

The beginning of his business career was humble, with a small capital, but with gritty determination, he proceeded on, gradually increasing the business volume. With the experience gained from teaching and working combined with the vast knowledge gathered from the German experience, Channa’s journey to the top was rapid and successful. In less than five years, he managed to bring his operation to Colombo and establish an office in the most prestigious locality in the city.

As of today, as an entrepreneur, Channa has managed to extend leadership to an exceedingly successful organization dealing with interior solutions and furniture manufacturing. Over the years, his company, Leema Creations, has won many awards (20 in the past 10 years) and earned brand equity at the highest level.

Writer and author
Channa wanted to share his extensive knowledge, both in theory and practice, and also as a teacher and a trainer in wood-based technology, with the budding youth who aspire to become professionals in wood technology. He has dedicated tiresome hours compiling wood-based industry-related books. He wants to elaborate in words, images, and diagrams, on how to create masterpieces.

His latest book was launched on September 14, 2022, at Bandaranayaka Memorial International Conference Hall with the patronage of many distinguished participants, including Senior Professor Sampath Amarathunga, Senior Professor Kapila Perera, Senior Professor Ananda Jayawardhena (Chairman, Commercial Bank), Dr. Hemakumara Nanayakkara, and Chartered Accountant Mr. Sujeewa Rajapaksa. (Chairman, People’s Bank)

Experience
·        40 Years of Experience in Wood based and Interior fit-out industry

·        Incorporated Civil Engineer – University of Moratuwa

·        Author of 2 books on ‘Basic Wood technology’ in Sinhala & English languages published by SMED for Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL)

·        Consultant for Small & Medium Enterprises Developers (SMED), a subsidiary of Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL)

·        Curriculum Writer & Technical Consultant in Wood work for World University Services, Canada

·        Curriculum Writer & Technical Advisor for National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka and National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority

·        Senior Lecturer at Apprenticeship Training Institute, Moratuwa

·        Member – Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission

·        Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa

·        Chairman, Advisory Committee – Wood Based Industry, Ministry of Industry & Commerce

·        President – Wood Based Industrialist’s Association

·        Visiting Lecturer – Forestry Unit, University of Sri Jayawardenapura

Overseas training
·        Technical Teachers Certificate in Wood Technology – Germany, 2 years

·        Diploma in Educational Administration – Germany, 4 months

·        Objective Oriented Project Planning Moderator’s Course – Thailand

·        Technical College & Industrial Training programme – Manila, Philippines

·        Training of TVE Teachers for Entrepreneurship Development – Manila, Philippines

List of awards
·        Extra Large Category Award at ‘CNCI Achiever of Industrial Excellence- National Merit Award-2018’ from Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI).

·        Brand Excellence in Interior Decorators and Designers Award for the SAARC region at the South Asian Partnership Summit and Business Awards Ceremony held on 29th October 2017 at Le Meridian Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

·        Large Category National Gold Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year-2016’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL).

·        Large Category Provincial Gold Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year-2016’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL).

·        Large Category National Gold Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year-2015’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL).

·        Large Category Provincial Gold Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year-2015’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL).

·        Large Category National Silver Award at ‘CNCI Achiever of Industrial Excellence- Award-2017’ from Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI).

·        Large Category National Bronze Award at ‘CNCI Achiever of Industrial Excellence- Award-2016’ from Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI).

·        Large Category National Bronze Award at ‘CNCI Achiever of Industrial Excellence- Award-2015’ from Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI).

·        Large Category National Bronze Award at ‘ Entrepreneur of the Year 2014’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        Large Category Provincial Bronze Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2014’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        Bronze Award at Industrial Excellence Award 2014 organized by Sri Lanka Small & Medium Industries

·        National Bronze Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2013’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        Provincial Bronze Award Entsrepreneur of the Year 2013’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        National Merit Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        Provincial Bronze Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry

·        Bronze Award at Industrial Excellence Award 2011 organized by Sri Lanka Small & Medium Industries

·        Provincial Bronze Award at ‘Entrepreneur of the year 2010’ from Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Sri Lanka (FCCISL)

Official positions held/ Retaining
·        Current Chairman-Advisory Council on Wood & Wood Based Industry, Ministry of Industry & Commerce

·        Former Vice President- Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIESL), Sri Lanka

(Council Member since 2016)

·        Current President – Wood & Wood Based Industrialists Association of Sri Lanka

·        Former Board Member/Director – Manufacturing and Engineering Services Industry Skills Council (MESSCO)

·        Former President Richmond College Union – Colombo.

·        Former Member – Engineering Council of Sri Lanka

·        Board Member -Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC)

From 14 Jul 2017 to 31 May 2018

·        Current Chairman - Leema Creations (Pvt) Ltd

List of books authored.

 * ලී වැඩ සඳහා භාවිතයට ගැනෙන අත් ආවුද
 * ලී වැඩ තාක්ෂණය මූලික සිද්ධාන්ත පියවර 1
 * Basic Technology of Wood Science-Volume I
 * ලී වැඩ ප‍්‍රායෝගික පාඨමාලාව පියවර 1 - ලී මූට්ටු සහ සවි කෙරුම් ක‍්‍රම
 * ලී වැඩ ප‍්‍රායෝගික පාඨමාලාව පියවර 2 - ලී සහ එහි භාවිතය
 * ලී වැඩ ප‍්‍රායෝගික පාඨමාලාව පියවර 3 - ලී වැඩ යන්ත‍්‍ර භාවිතය - 01