Lahiru Karunarathna, CEO of oDoc, is pioneering a transformation in Sri Lanka’s healthcare landscape through digital innovation. Since joining oDoc in 2022, initially as Vice President of Finance, he has ascended to a leadership role that now defines the company’s mission and vision in the realm of telemedicine. Under his guidance, oDoc has thrived within a competitive industry, fueled by his core philosophies of purpose-driven innovation, empowerment, and resilience. These principles have not only contributed to oDoc’s success but have also established Lahiru as a thought leader in the health tech sector, particularly as he combines his expertise in finance with a passion for accessible healthcare.
His journey with oDoc has been defined by his commitment to purpose-driven innovation. This approach underscores every strategic move he makes, aligning the company’s goals with a broader mission: to provide accessible healthcare for all Sri Lankans. His early role as Vice President of Finance allowed him to bring operational precision to the company’s financial foundation, setting the stage for the significant growth that followed. By 2024, as he took on the role of CEO, he had helped drive oDoc’s expansion, increasing its reach and impact across diverse demographics.
Lahiru’s background as a lecturer in subjects such as management accounting, audit, and taxation has been instrumental in shaping his leadership style. The discipline and rigor required in academia mirror the qualities he brings to his executive role. His approach to problem-solving is systematic, informed by an academic rigor that fosters a deep understanding of complex financial and operational challenges. This commitment to education enables him to stay grounded in practical, sustainable decision-making, while his focus on purpose ensures that every initiative he leads directly contributes to oDoc’s mission.
Witnessing the growing demand for remote healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic was a pivotal moment for Lahiru, reinforcing his belief in the potential of telemedicine to address long-standing disparities in healthcare access. His vision for oDoc took shape as he observed the platform’s capacity to reduce travel time for patients, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, while simultaneously enabling quicker access to specialists. For him, the question wasn’t just about innovating in health tech but doing so in a way that positively impacts lives, ensuring that quality healthcare is no longer a privilege for the few but a right for all.
Drawing on his experience in management accounting, he has focused on scalable, efficient growth, ensuring that oDoc is equipped to handle increasing demand while maintaining high-quality service standards. His strategic insights into resource management have helped shape oDoc’s telemedicine platform into a sustainable model that can expand without compromising on its quality of care. This growth-centric approach has propelled oDoc’s development and has been instrumental in establishing it as a trusted healthcare solution in Sri Lanka.
Balancing the demands of leading a fast-growing digital health company requires focus, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose—qualities that Lahiru embodies. His dual role as an academic lecturer offers him a unique perspective, allowing him to balance the corporate intensity with a commitment to continuous learning. This balance is vital in a rapidly evolving industry like health tech, where technological advancements and market demands shift quickly. By staying connected to academia, he keeps his approach to leadership fresh and adaptable.
Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and structured reflection, practices he attributes to his work in education. Teaching subjects like audit and taxation requires precision and a methodical approach—skills he has effectively translated into his leadership at oDoc. By incorporating regular moments of reflection into his routine, he ensures that he remains focused on the bigger picture, preventing the daily pressures of the industry from overshadowing the company’s long-term goals.
Effective delegation is another strategy that enables Lahiru to balance the various demands of his role. At both oDoc and in his academic work, he believes in empowering others by fostering a culture of trust. By delegating responsibilities, he has cultivated an environment where team members feel empowered to lead within their own domains, fostering innovation and ensuring that oDoc remains agile and adaptable in a fast-paced industry.
Beyond his corporate and academic roles, Lahiru prioritizes personal well-being, recognizing that a balanced leader is essential to sustainable company growth. His close relationships with family and friends provide the support and perspective he needs to recharge. These connections serve as a reminder of the value of work-life balance and underscore the importance of stepping back periodically to reflect on his journey and ambitions. This dedication to personal well-being enables him to approach challenges with renewed energy and a clear perspective, maintaining a level of composure essential for the demanding role of CEO.
Lahiru’s leadership has set the stage for oDoc to redefine healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka, pushing the boundaries of telemedicine with a vision anchored in compassion, accessibility, and innovation. His commitment to purpose-driven growth has not only expanded the company’s reach but has also set a new standard in the health tech industry. By fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and empowerment, he ensures that oDoc continues to evolve, meeting the healthcare needs of an increasingly digital society. As he looks toward the future, his vision for oDoc remains clear: a world where every Sri Lankan, irrespective of geographic or economic constraints, has access to quality healthcare, delivered with empathy and precision.