Building Sri Lanka’s digital future

The story of VRE LABZ

At a time when businesses are increasingly defined by their online presence and technological efficiency, a new generation of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs is stepping forward to shape the country’s digital direction. Among them are Jeewanthi Marasinghe and Dulani Samarajeewa, the two directors behind VRE LABZ, a software development company that aims to connect Sri Lankan technical talent with global opportunities while delivering practical digital solutions for businesses.

Founded with the goal of turning complex business requirements into efficient technology systems, VRE LABZ focuses on custom software development, web and mobile applications, system integration, and automation. The company works with organisations seeking modern, scalable platforms that are both reliable and accessible to users.

For Jeewanthi Marasinghe, the company represents more than just a business venture. It is part of a broader vision to position Sri Lankan developers and engineers within the international technology space.

“VRE LABZ was created with a very clear intention,” she shared. “We wanted to build a platform where Sri Lankan talent could contribute to global projects while still being based here. There is a huge pool of skilled developers in the country, and we wanted to give them opportunities that match their abilities.”

From education to entrepreneurship

Marasinghe’s path into technology was shaped by both academic training and professional experience. After completing her Advanced Level studies in Mathematics, she pursued a Bachelor of Information Technology, developing a foundation in problem-solving and technical thinking. Later, she completed a Master of Business Administration at a UK-affiliated university while continuing to build her professional experience.

Before launching VRE LABZ, she spent more than a decade working in Sri Lanka’s private higher education sector, eventually reaching a senior managerial role. The position allowed her to gain insight into organisational management, strategy, and team leadership.

“That period taught me how organisations actually function,” she explained. “You understand people, systems, and the way decisions shape outcomes. When we started VRE LABZ, that experience helped me look at the company not only from a technical point of view but also from a management and sustainability perspective.”

Her work and leadership were recognised in 2023 when she received the Women Icon of the Year Award from Times Women, a milestone that affirmed her growing influence within Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial community.

Yet for Marasinghe, the real achievement lies in building a company that creates opportunities.

“One of our biggest motivations is employment creation,” she said. “If we can connect Sri Lankan developers with international work and stable projects, we are contributing to both the local economy and the confidence of young professionals entering the technology field.”

A partnership built on complementary strengths

While Marasinghe brings experience in technology management and operations, co-founder Dulani Samarajeewa contributes a rare blend of financial expertise and technological knowledge.

Samarajeewa is a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a CPA of CPA Australia, and an Associate Chartered Management Accountant of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). She also holds the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Her academic background reflects an early connection between business and technology. After studying at Gateway College in Colombo, she completed a dual honours BSc in Computer Science and Management Studies at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, followed by an MBA from the University of West London.

With more than fifteen years of experience across multinational organisations and Big Four firms in Sri Lanka and Australia, Samarajeewa built a career grounded in financial precision and strategic thinking.

Her entrepreneurial journey began during the global lockdown of 2020, when she founded an accounting consulting firm serving US clients. The venture achieved rapid growth within its first year while creating employment opportunities for women who had stepped away from their professional paths due to family responsibilities.

Reflecting on the transition from accounting to digital entrepreneurship, Samarajeewa explained that the two fields are not as distant as they might appear.

“Accounting taught me how to see the story behind the numbers,” she said. “Now I help businesses tell their story through design, functionality, and digital strategy.”

Building solutions that work

At its core, VRE LABZ focuses on practical technological solutions that businesses can rely on. The company’s services range from website development and search engine optimisation to broader software systems that support automation and integration across platforms.

For Marasinghe, one of the most important aspects of the company’s approach is ensuring that technology remains user-friendly and aligned with business goals.

“Sometimes organisations think technology means complexity,” she said. “But good technology should simplify things. Our focus is on building systems that make processes easier, not harder.”

This philosophy shapes the company’s collaborative working style. Developers, engineers, and technology specialists within the team work closely with clients to understand operational needs before designing the final product.

“We spend time understanding the client’s objectives,” Marasinghe added. “When you understand the problem properly, the solution becomes much clearer.”

A global outlook rooted in Sri Lanka

Although the company is based in Sri Lanka, its ambitions extend well beyond national boundaries. VRE LABZ already serves international clients and is preparing to collaborate with several Australian brands in order to expand its service portfolio.

For Samarajeewa, the cross-border nature of the company reflects the increasingly global character of the technology sector.

“Technology removes geographical limitations,” she said. “A skilled developer in Sri Lanka can contribute to a project in Australia or Europe without difficulty. Our role is to connect those opportunities while maintaining quality and professionalism.”

Marasinghe sees this global engagement as an opportunity to showcase Sri Lankan talent.

“We want international companies to recognise the strength of our local expertise,” she said. “Sri Lankan professionals are capable of producing work that meets global standards.”

Opening doors for future entrepreneurs

Both founders also recognise the significance of their own journeys as women in a field where leadership positions remain largely male-dominated.

For Marasinghe, representation matters because it allows younger women to imagine themselves in similar positions.

“When young women see others building companies or leading technology teams, it changes what they think is possible,” she said. “I hope our story encourages them to pursue their own ideas with confidence.”

Samarajeewa echoes this sentiment, pointing out that entrepreneurship often grows from combining different fields of knowledge.

“Sometimes innovation happens when you connect disciplines that seem unrelated,” she said. “Finance, technology, design and management all come together in a company like VRE LABZ.”

Looking ahead

As VRE LABZ continues to grow, the founders remain focused on strengthening the company’s technological capabilities while expanding its international partnerships.

The long-term goal, Marasinghe said, is to position the company as a trusted technology partner for organisations seeking modern, scalable digital systems.

“At the end of the day, our aim is simple,” she said. “We want to build technology that helps businesses move forward while creating meaningful opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals.”

With a blend of technical expertise, financial insight, and entrepreneurial determination, VRE LABZ represents a growing movement within Sri Lanka’s technology sector: a generation of founders building companies that are locally rooted yet globally connected.

Source - The Morning