A Decade of Growth and Resilience at John Keells Group
By Suchithra Dilhani
My professional journey with the John Keells Group began in 2013 as a Support Staff Assistant in the Technical Department at JKOA. In this foundational role, I cultivated essential skills in organisational operations, discipline, and teamwork, which set the stage for my career progression.
In 2018, I advanced to Customer Support Executive in the Technical Channels division, where I managed customer interactions and coordinated solutions with cross-functional teams. This position honed my communication, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. It also taught me the importance of patience, resilience, and empathy, qualities that have been further strengthened by the unique challenges and joys of being a working mother to my child. My ability to balance these roles has been nurtured by the collaborative and inclusive environment at the John Keells Group. As a result of my efforts, I was promoted to Senior Customer Support Executive in 2021.
Beyond my core responsibilities, I take every opportunity to actively engage in company sports and have represented the Group and JKOA in athletics, badminton and rugby. I especially excelled in Badminton, participating in mercantile badminton tournaments from 2014-2017 where I received the championship award in 2014. I also consistently participated in the Group’s intercompany tag rugby and badminton tournaments. My achievements in mercantile sports were further recognised at the John Keells Group Sports AGM & Awards event.
At the Group I also have opportunities to showcase my performance skills and I took part in the Spotlight Talent Show in the individual dancing category. These activities reinforced my discipline and commitment to teamwork, further developing my perseverance and team spirit, while helping to continue my love of sports.
In 2023, my contributions were recognised with the 10 Years Service Excellence Award at the JKOA Awards Ceremony. I was also nominated for the "She Inspires" category, which celebrates women leaders who uplift others. Additionally, I received a BRAVO award for successfully executing a critical operational project, a testament to my dedication to excellence and consistent performance.
The company's commitment to continuous learning and its culture of mutual respect has been instrumental in shaping my professional and personal growth. I believe true success lies in balancing results with a positive, supportive workplace culture. As Helen Keller's words perfectly capture: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
