Today, thousands of skilled Sri Lankans look abroad for growth and recognition. Oceans believes it does not have to be that way. Head of Corporate Communications of Oceans, Nishan de Silva Wijeyeratne, and Head of Diver Success of Oceans, Kavitha Gunesekera, share how the company is creating pathways for global careers without requiring talent to uproot their lives.
How is Oceans changing the global perception of Sri Lankan professionals, from being seen as outsourced support to being recognised as leaders who can thrive without leaving the country?
Nishan: For too long, Sri Lankan professionals have been seen through the narrow lens of outsourced support: short-term, transactional, and peripheral to decision-making. Oceans is changing that by embedding our professional “Divers” directly into client teams. Divers don’t just execute tasks; they drive strategy, innovate, and deliver impact at the centre of business operations.
The message is clear: Sri Lankan talent is not only capable, it is indispensable at the global table. This shift rebrands the Sri Lankan professional identity, from back-office support to recognised global leadership.
The urgency is real. Between 2022 and 2024, almost 300,000 Sri Lankans left each year for foreign employment; many of these individuals are highly skilled. Oceans offers another path, where Sri Lankans no longer have to choose between global opportunities and staying rooted at home. They can build world-class careers while contributing not only to global companies but also to the future of their own country.
In a fully remote environment, how does Oceans use storytelling to strengthen identity and belonging, showing Sri Lankans they can build global careers while staying rooted at home?
Nishan: Storytelling is at the centre of how we build belonging. Remote work can feel isolating if left unchecked. Our approach ensures every Diver feels part of something bigger than their role. That’s why our Employee Value Proposition exists, but at its heart, it’s about creating an emotional connection to the larger mission.
We’ve made storytelling a daily practice through internal and external communication. It’s not just sharing updates; it’s a narrative showing what’s possible. We spotlight Sri Lankans leading client projects, breaking into groundbreaking industries, and mentoring the next generation.
These stories reframe success. Instead of “you need to migrate to succeed,” it becomes “you can be a global leader from here.” That message is powerful, and it helps us build a sense of identity that goes beyond a job. It’s about belonging to a movement.
What systems, training, and support does Oceans have in place to help its team members build long-term global careers?
Kavitha: From the moment someone joins Oceans, we’re thinking about long-term growth. One of our core values is Perpetual Learning—the belief that careers should constantly evolve. Our onboarding reflects this: an immersive induction built on Oceans’ Growth Framework. Every new Diver is introduced to our 12 Core and Role competencies and levels system, establishing a baseline of where they stand and how to grow. Before they’re matched with a client, Divers engage in targeted training and simulations designed to sharpen these competencies, so they’re prepared to operate at a global standard from day one.
Each Diver then joins a Pod, guided by a Pod Leader who guides their professional development and helps them achieve their growth goals, in addition to day-to-day support. With our competency framework and continuous feedback, from clients, peers, and engagement reviews, Divers always know where they stand and how to move forward. And because growth isn’t sustainable without well-being, our Dive Well programme provides mental health and wellness initiatives.
How do these systems help Divers succeed in their current roles, while preparing them to become future leaders in the global workplace?
Kavitha: Success for us isn’t just about today’s performance. We’re thinking about who a Diver could be five years from now. From the start, Divers are embedded into client operations, handling real responsibilities that drive outcomes for global companies. Before placement, they complete immersive pre-match training, such as scenario-based exercises and client simulations, to ensure they can contribute confidently from day one.
Then we layer in coaching, feedback, and growth goals. We ensure every Diver has a continuous growth mindset, with personalised growth goals and feedback loops so they’re never stagnant. They’re encouraged to reflect and improve, aiming for upward mobility, engaging in lateral skill-building, or even transitioning into entirely new roles.
At the same time, we’re building leadership traits early: resilience, communication, problem-solving, and ownership. By combining immersive client work, structured coaching, and our competency framework, we’re developing a pipeline of Sri Lankan professionals who aren’t just excelling today—they’re ready to lead global teams tomorrow.
What legacy does Oceans hope to build as it positions Sri Lankan talent to rethink the future of work globally?
Nishan: The legacy we want to leave is simple but powerful: proving that Sri Lankans don’t need to leave their country to build world-class careers. For decades, the narrative has been that success lives elsewhere. We’re determined to flip that.
If we succeed, Sri Lanka will no longer be seen as a source of “cheap labour” but as a respected global talent hub, known for its adaptability, resilience, and creativity. That changes not only how the world sees Sri Lanka, but how young Sri Lankans see themselves.
Kavitha: And in the long term, we want the next generation to look around and know that opportunity exists here. That they can stay close to their families, their culture, and their roots, and still thrive globally. That’s the kind of shift that doesn’t just change careers: it’s a shift that changes a nation.
For ambitious Sri Lankans who want to prove they can lead on the global stage while staying rooted at home, Oceans is building the platform. The question is: are you ready to dive in?