SRL marks yet another successful year in research and consultancy

SRL Chairman Neel De Silva

SRL CEO Mihirani Dissanayake

In September 1989, SRL was established as a pioneer research and consultancy company in Sri Lanka. Today, it celebrates 32 years in operation as one of the oldest, fully independent and fully Sri Lankan entity, leading at the forefront in the research industry, designing and developing market-related information systems and introducing various products for the first time to Sri Lanka. In this interview, SRL Chairman Neel De Silva and SRL CEO Mihirani Dissanayake discuss how the past two years have influenced the organisation and its contribution to the industry:

Q: SRL recently celebrated its anniversary in the field of research, data, and knowledge sharing. What was the key addition you made to the company?

For SRL, data collection is an integral part of our business. We take a strong ownership for data quality. With the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the data collection process required a lot of attention in order to maintain the same level of quality and efficiency as in times before. Therefore, the SRL management invested in expanding the data collection function. As a key component of that expansion plan, the company newly recruited a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and four regional managers who take close control and supervision of the data collection function. With this change, SRL stands stronger than ever before to provide impactful knowledge to its clients with high quality data at the right time. 

Q:  Research and data collection requires hands-on operation. How has SRL continued its services given the pandemic-related situation in the country?

We introduced new and tested data collection methods for qualitative as well as quantitative research, which are fragile to use in situations like during pandemic. These were formulated taking into consideration the many dynamics which change consumer behaviour based on uncertainty, restricted movement and fluctuating purchasing power. 

For the team at SRL, the pandemic was never a hindrance. Instead we took extra effort to work hard and delivered a remarkable business growth of nearly 50% this year as well. This strong work ethic has made SRL become the most sort after agency for many commercial as well as development research users in the country as well as international clients.

Q:  SRL marks 32 years in operation in 2021. How was it celebrated?

‍The last two years was a period where all of us counted our blessings for being alive, more than anything else. With this in mind, SRL made a point to arrange many religious activities and donations in celebrating all business milestones in these past two years. Some such activities were donations to the Cancer Hospital and cancer patients, releasing milk cows and donations to temples and people in need. 

Q:  In your opinion, what are the pillars of success for SRL, and how have you sustained them?

SRL’s biggest resource of success is its people. The management of the company took serious attention to be with its people throughout all the difficulties that they face with the pandemic. COVID impacted families of SRL staff were sponsored with monitory aids and the company launched an additional monthly allowance for sanitation related expenses, especially for the data collectors who are constantly on ground for projects.

With the strength of the staff, the ship sailed through a big challenge with happy progress and as a result the company was able to continue its usual human resource ventures such as recruitment, staff promotions, salary increments and training, without any disruption even during this disruptive time. 

Our business is also not possible without our clients. The major strength for SRL management to make all these possible was our trusted clients who are with us continuously and make us partners in their growth plans. SRL has conducted certain projects without a fee for its loyal clients in this difficult time. 

Overall, SRL has had a successful year and we have done all the required expanded resource preparation for another challenging business year with the certain aim of winning with a big leap again.