Educational Exposure Visit on September 2025

The Department of Financial Management, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Jaffna, successfully organized an educational exposure visit for the final-year students of the BBA Honours in Financial Management degree programme. A total of 68 students and 4 staff members (Prof. (Mrs.) L. Kengatharan, Dr. V. A. Subramaniam, Mrs. T. Pratheesh, and Mrs. M. Gowthaman) participated in this initiative.

The visit was designed to provide practical insights into financial institutions, banking operations, and revenue administration, while also exposing students to best practices in the manufacturing sector.

Objectives of the Visit

• To provide students with hands-on exposure to financial regulations, banking practices, and public revenue administration.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practices in finance.
• To encourage interaction with industry leaders and professionals in finance, banking, taxation, and manufacturing.
• To inspire students to align their career aspirations with industry expectations and global challenges.
• To strengthen the department’s collaborations with industry partners for the benefit of students’ professional development.

On the way to Colombo, students and staff visited Omega Line Ltd, a leading apparel manufacturer. Mr. M. Anton Mathanraj, Manager – HR & Administration, and senior officials of Omega Line Ltd. warmly welcomed the group and provided an overview of the company’s operations. He highlighted Omega Line’s global presence, the practical challenges of apparel manufacturing, and its commitment to workforce welfare. The visit gave students exposure to international business operations and the integration of management and financial practices within the manufacturing sector.

Omega Factory Visit

The first institutional visit in Colombo was to Vallibel Finance PLC at 9.00 AM. The staff and students were warmly received, and the session was conducted by Mr. Jayantha Rangamuwa, Managing Director of Vallibel Finance PLC, and Mr. Chaaminda Kumarasir, Senior Lecturer – CMA ANZ and Managing Director of Lanka Hospitals PLC. They spoke on the topic “What Really Happens in Finance — Beyond the Textbooks and the Degree.” The session was excellent, highly informative, and inspiring, offering valuable insights into the realities of the finance industry. Both speakers encouraged students to look beyond theoretical learning and embrace the evolving challenges and opportunities in the financial sector.

The next session was held at the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL). The lecture was delivered by Mr. C. P. A. Karunatilake, Director General of IBSL, on the topic “Current Trends in Banking & Finance.” Mr. Karunatilake provided an in-depth perspective on recent developments in banking practices, the growing role of technology, and the challenges shaping the modern financial services sector. His lecture was highly relevant to the students’ academic background and helped them connect their theoretical knowledge to practical applications in the banking industry.

The final visit of the program was to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Head Office, Colombo. The resource person, Mrs. Priyanka Dissabandara, Commissioner, Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Service – Grade I, delivered a comprehensive session on taxation and reforms in revenue administration. She highlighted the importance of taxation in supporting national development, the significance of compliance frameworks, and the modernization of tax services. Following her insightful presentation, students were given a guided tour of selected service units, which provided them with a practical understanding of revenue administration processes and their role in sustaining the country’s financial stability.

The Department of Financial Management extends its sincere appreciation to the following individuals and institutions for their invaluable support:

• Mr. M. Anton Mathanraj, Manager – HR & Administration, Omega Line Ltd, for warmly welcoming the staff and students and sharing insights on apparel manufacturing.
• Mr. Jayantha Rangamuwa, Managing Director, Vallibel Finance PLC, for his inspiring address.
• Mr. Chaaminda Kumarasir, Senior Lecturer – CMA ANZ, and Managing Director, Lanka Hospitals PLC, for his motivating session on finance beyond textbooks.
• Mr. C. P. A. Karunatilake, Director General, IBSL, for his enriching lecture on current trends in banking and finance.
• Mrs. Priyanka Dissabandara, Commissioner, Inland Revenue Department, for her informative session and guided tour.
• Prof. S. Sri Satkunarajah, Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, for granting permission and providing continuous encouragement for experiential learning.

Conclusion

This educational exposure visit created a remarkable opportunity for students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world financial practices. The exposure to diverse institutions — ranging from apparel manufacturing to finance, banking, and taxation — enriched students’ understanding of the professional world.

The Department of Financial Management remains committed to organizing such programs in the future to ensure that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the dynamic global environment.