In Sri Lanka’s evolving corporate landscape, exceptional leaders distinguish themselves not merely through business success but through their ability to balance entrepreneurial resilience with a deep sense of social responsibility. Among them, Sashika De Silva Founder, Director of Glitz Park, stands out as a visionary who has elevated an entire industry through innovation and integrity. Over nearly two decades, she has transformed Glitz Park into one of the nation’s most trusted and sophisticated multi- brand automotive workshop offering accident repairs, mechanical repairs, Routine servicing, electric vehicle solutions, and distribution of spare parts cum equipment. With thousands of positive customer ratings and a reputation built on trust, consistency, and professionalism, Glitz Park has evolved far beyond the traditional concept of a “garage.” Under Sashika’s leadership, it has become a model of transformation, proving that vision, discipline, and unwavering commitment to standards can redefine an entire sector.
For Sashika, leadership transcends gender. She believes true strength lies in the ability to endure, adapt, and lead with conviction. “If a woman can carry a child in her womb for nine months and endure life’s toughest challenges, she can most certainly overcome any obstacle,” she asserts with calm determination. Her perspective is grounded not in the narrative of breaking barriers as a woman, but in redefining what leadership itself should represent resilience, accountability, and the courage to create meaningful change.
Her greatest challenge was not about navigating gender biases but about addressing the deep-rooted lack of regulations and standards in Sri Lanka’s repair industry. In a market where consumers often prioritize cost over safety, introducing new technologies and structured repair systems demanded more than technical expertise it required education and public awareness. Recognizing this gap, Sashika made it her personal mission to elevate industry standards. She took to social media and public platforms to educate customers about the importance of safety and the dangers of neglecting standard procedures. “When customers understand why safety matters, they make better choices and that’s where real transformation begins,” she explains. Her authenticity and persistence gradually built trust among customers, suppliers, and industry peers. Over time, Glitz Park’s brand identity became synonymous with reliability, safety, and caring place for those who value life and refuse to compromise quality for short-term savings. This positioning not only differentiated the company but also embedded purpose into its core strategy.
As the business environment continues to evolve rapidly, Sashika remains acutely aware of the forcesreshaping leadership. She identifies two critical shifts shaping modern enterprise: technological transformation and the changing mindset of younger generations entering the workforce. “The critical qualities for leaders today are embracing technological change before companies become obsolete, and managing people with fragile, often de-focused minds wisely. Talent is of no use without commitment, passion, and discipline,” she emphasizes. Her leadership philosophy blends innovation with structure, a balance that allows her teams to be creative without losing focus. By fostering accountability alongside curiosity, she has created a culture where innovation thrives within a framework of operational excellence. This approach has allowed Glitz Park not just to adapt to disruption, but to anticipate it. From integrating electric vehicle technology to digitalizing customer service operations, Sashika continues to ensure her company remains ahead of the curve in a market often slow to evolve.
For Sashika, true success in business cannot be measured by financial results alone. It must reflect the growth of people, the progress of industries, and the well-being of communities. She passionately believes in the “Three Ps”: Profits, People, and Planet a principle that defines her approach to sustainable business. “A business cannot thrive in isolation. It must grow in harmony with its people and its environment. Profit without purpose has no meaning,” she reflects.
This belief was tested during the most turbulent period in recent Sri Lankan history the post-Covid economic crisis. Like many enterprises, Glitz Park faced immense operational challenges, from supply chain disruptions to inflationary pressures. Yet Sashika’s response was not to retreat, but to lead with empathy and resilience. She focused on motivating her teams, maintaining morale, and ensuring customers continued to receive consistent service. Her ability to remain composed and forward-thinking in adversity inspired her employees and became the cornerstone of Glitz Park’s continued stability. Her leadership through crisis reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: resilience is not about avoiding hardship it is about leading others through it.
Sashika’s influence extends far beyond her company. As Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce & Trade Swiss Ceylon (Sri Lanka South-East Asia) and a member of the National Advisory Committee for SME Sector Development, appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka, she plays a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s entrepreneurial backbone. In her current role, Sashika works closely with policymakers and business owners to address one of the most pressing challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the burden of unpaid bank loans and the looming threat of being categorized as Non-Performing Loans (NPLs). Rather than addressing these issues from a purely policy- driven perspective, she adopts a hands-on, human approach.
“My role is not just policy, it is personal,” she explains. “I sit with entrepreneurs, understand their challenges, and help them negotiate with banks and restructure their operations so they can rebuild instead of being written off.” Through this approach, she has become both a shield and strategist for struggling businesses, guiding them toward financial stability and sustainable growth. Her commitment ensures that SMEs, which form the heart of Sri Lanka’s economy, continue to generate employment, innovation, and long-term value.
Looking toward the future, Sashika’s ambitions reach far beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. Her vision is to take Glitz Park to the international stage, transforming it into a global benchmark for automotive excellence. “I go to sleep and wake up each morning with one dream in mind, taking Glitz Park to the international market,” she says. “We are second to none when it comes to standards, technology, and commitment.”
She frequently travels across borders to build international partnerships and explore global opportunities for collaboration. The demand for Glitz Park’s skilled technicians abroad is a testament to the brand’s reputation for quality and professionalism. Yet, even as she pursues global growth, her focus remains deeply rooted in Sri Lanka, empowering local talent, creating opportunities, and showcasing the country’s potential on the world stage.
Equally important to her vision is the role of women entrepreneurs in driving innovation and sustainable development. “With their natural qualities of love and care for their families, communities, and even the environment, women lead with empathy,” she notes. “They create customer-centric innovations that matter.” She believes women bring a unique blend of emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and
community consciousness to leadership traits that are increasingly valuable in an era where business must balance profit with purpose.
For Sashika De Silva, sustainability is not an option it is a necessity. Her journey reflects a powerful narrative of purpose-driven leadership: transforming industries, empowering people, and redefining the standards of success. Whether guiding a business through economic turmoil, supporting SMEs on the brink of collapse, or inspiring women to rise into leadership, she exemplifies how resilience and integrity
can create lasting impact. As Sri Lanka’s business environment continues to evolve, Sashika stands as a model of what modern leadership should be innovative yet grounded, ambitious yet ethical, global yet deeply local. Her story is not just one of business success; it is a lesson in how vision, empathy, and unwavering discipline can turn challenges into opportunities and industries into legacies.