Sri Lanka Hui: An unforgettable lesson in purpose-driven leadership

The delegates with High Commissioner David Pine and Mohan Pandithage, chairman and chief executive of Sri Lankan conglomerate, Hayleys Group

As we arrived in Colombo, my first thought was of the heat—a physical, palpable wall that greeted us as soon as the aircraft doors opened. Next came the city’s vibrant pulse: a symphony of horns, the scent of salt air mixed with exhaust and distant spices, and a surprising cleanliness that defied the bustling chaos.

This was the beginning of our Leadership Network Sri Lanka Hui.

I wanted to take part in the trip due to my curiosity about South Asia and its connection to our own advanced agricultural sector in New Zealand. What I discovered, however, transcended professional curiosity. It became a profound lesson in resilience, purpose, and the true meaning of legacy.

This learning was rooted in the diverse cohort I travelled with. From early morning gym sessions with Te Wai to breakfast debates with Emma, Amanda, Bonnie, and the entire group, our conversations were a rich tapestry of perspectives—consulting, teaching, diplomacy, and entrepreneurship. We were a microcosm of New Zealand’s leadership landscape, united by a shared desire to understand this complex nation.

A visit to Dilmah Tea's offices and hearing from the family-run company's CEO Dilhan Fernando was a highlight of the visit

Our most impactful (we can all agree!) insight into Sri Lankan ambition came at the headquarters of Dilmah Tea. Meeting Dilhan Fernando and his son Amrit was not merely a corporate visit, it was an immersion into a family philosophy. Hearing how Dilmah dedicates 15 percent of its profit to uplift underprivileged communities reframed my understanding of business success. It was a masterclass in how commercial excellence and social purpose are not just compatible but can be powerfully symbiotic, creating a ripple effect that sustains generations.

This theme of resilience in the face of adversity became a constant refrain. A visit to the Tea Leaf Trust highlighted the challenges, particularly for women in rural communities, underscoring the development journey ahead.

Visiting Tea Leaf Trust, an organisation that empowers tea estate communities through education, vocational training and emotional support

Sri Lanka’s recent history is marked by a painful civil war and a severe economic crisis, exacerbated in part by a sudden, poorly executed policy to transition to organic farming. This attempt, driven by a need to conserve foreign currency, led to a dramatic drop in the production of rice and the nation’s vital tea exports, a stark lesson in the perils of abrupt, top-down reform in a sector that millions depend on.

Yet, to define Sri Lanka solely by its challenges is to miss its essence. The country left me with an overwhelming sense of dignified perseverance. Here is a nation that has endured religious conflict, colonisation, and economic shock, yet its people greet you with a genuine smile and a determination to move forward. This national character is not about passive endurance but active, hopeful rebuilding. From the executives at Dilmah to the social entrepreneurs we met, there is a widespread drive to build back better, smarter, and more sustainably.

This is where the critical intersection with New Zealand’s expertise lies. The conversation in Sri Lanka is no longer about a simple choice between chemical and organic farming. The focus has shifted decisively toward ‘innovation and technological integration’. Stakeholders are actively exploring climate-smart agriculture, precision farming using drones and sensors, and smart irrigation to optimise precious resources.

At Glenloch Tea Plantation the network members got to pick, and taste, the local tea leaves

Sri Lankan companies like Modern Agri are introducing high-tech greenhouses and irrigation systems from global partners, with platforms like e-farmer. They are using digital tools to connect farmers directly to markets and information. This creates tangible opportunities for collaboration, where New Zealand’s strengths in agri-tech, research, and sustainable practice can support a partner eager for knowledge and smart investment.

The delegation’s ultimate lesson was deeply personal. It crystallised around a Korean proverb: “Tigers leave their skin; people leave their names.” In the legacy of Merrill J. Fernando and in the diligent spirit of every Sri Lankan we met, I saw this principle in action. Theirs is a success measured not just in profit, but in community impact and generational inspiration.

For future leaders of New Zealand, comfortable in our island paradise, Sri Lanka poses an urgent question: how do we drive innovation, harmony, and visionary purpose without the catalyst of acute hardship?

This experience has ignited a new fire in me—to build businesses that are authentically purpose-driven. It has shown that true leadership is about creating value that outlasts you, fostering a legacy that, like a well-tended Sri Lankan tea garden, enriches the soil for those who come next.

Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sabaragamuwa Province

Hui such as this are invaluable. They move far beyond financial metrics or tourist itineraries. They are investments in perspective, forging leaders equipped with the empathy, global understanding, and sense of purpose needed to positively impact our own communities and the world, for generations to come.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to thrive in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.

Leadership Network offshore hui provide opportunities for members to have in-country experiences, expose them to an Asian destination and culture, provide leadership opportunities and build connections both within the network and with relevant contacts offshore.