YESL recognises outstanding young entrepreneurs in schools

The popular Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL) programme which teaches children economics, business and entrepreneurial education in urban and rural schools held its 10th Annual National Awards Ceremony at the BMICH. The Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year was adjudged as Nimesha De Silva-President of Trident Company, Museaus College. A remarkable feature at the awards was the participation by rural schools competing with affluent schools in the cities.

Mahiyangana National school produced the ‘Outstanding Girl Entrepreneur of the Year’ M.A.K. Mahesha Kalyani, President of the Splendour company . The Most Outstanding Boy Entrepreneur Suwan Fernando, president of the Orient Commercial company – Ananda College.

The objective of the programme is to inspire and groom future generations, add value to our human capital to meet the market demands of today’s world.

Awards were presented to outstanding school, principals, teachers and YESL consultants.Some of the interesting facts revealed during the selection process was that 38 school companies that competed had 781 shareholders from A/L classes. Total turnover of the businesses for the year (about 30 weeks) was Rs. 1,012,038.

The profits declared were 191,703. A total of Rs. 152,366 was distributed among share holders as dividends. The members earned commissions, salaries and wages as income in addition to the profit from business, an important point was that of a total of Rs. 26,423 was earmarked as tax contribution on profits.

All companies were also judged by the social contribution they made.Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL) with the approval of the Ministry of Education launched the above programme in 9 national and provincial schools in 1998 with 1600, children and has now covered over 350 schools and 35,000 children in urban and rural schools.