Imagine sipping a rich cup of coffee while unaware that behind its aroma lies the story of Rajitha Kalhari Komangoda - a woman who defied gender norms to become Sri Lanka Customs' Deputy Director of Cargo Examination. Her journey transcends customs work, representing a powerful narrative of female empowerment in male-dominated professions.
An Unexpected Career Path
In 2008, Rajitha's life took an unforeseen turn. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Kelaniya but unable to find relevant employment, she initially joined the public service as a Management Assistant. Fate intervened when her mother - a government bookkeeper - spotted a Customs Department recruitment notice. Despite knowing little about customs work, Rajitha applied and became one of the first women selected through Sri Lanka's competitive examination system, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Sixteen Years of Transformation
Reflecting on her journey, Rajitha confirms she made the right choice. Customs work captivated her with its dynamic nature - officers rotate across departments every two years and between branches every six months. This constant change demands continuous learning, supplemented by specialized training like the gemology diploma she recently completed to work in Customs' gemstone division.
Since January 2023 as Deputy Director, Rajitha has managed cargo examination teams at container terminals after serving in the Central Intelligence Unit. Her diverse experience spans airport and seaport operations, post-audit investigations, and biodiversity protection - expertise that contributed to drafting Sri Lanka Customs' 2023-2028 strategic plan.
Career-Defining Moments with WCO
While promotions in Sri Lanka Customs follow seniority, two World Customs Organization (WCO) initiatives profoundly impacted Rajitha's professional growth. The 2014-2015 Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights Program at Tokyo's Aoyama Gakuin University transformed her from a shy individual into a confident professional through international exposure.
Her second breakthrough came as Sri Lanka's nCEN project lead - implementing WCO's enforcement database system. Under her leadership, Sri Lanka became regional nCEN coordinator in 2019, conducting workshops across Asia-Pacific. Today, she serves as WCO-certified nCEN Technical Operational Consultant while continuing her customs duties.
Challenges for Women in Customs
Rajitha openly discusses gender-specific obstacles. Since 1993, female recruitment caps at 10% of vacancies, with women comprising just 9% of customs staff - significantly lower than other government sectors. While promotion opportunities are equal, practical challenges persist: inadequate female restrooms, limited changing facilities, and logistical complications when posted to remote stations where housing arrangements compromise privacy and safety.
She recalls early career skepticism from male superiors who claimed customs work "wasn't suitable for ladies." Although attitudes are improving, Rajitha notes men are still adapting to female colleagues in this traditionally male environment.
Advice for Aspiring Women
Rajitha's counsel to women in customs is clear: "Build confidence, seize opportunities, embrace challenging roles to develop leadership skills, and apply for WCO professional programs." She actively mentors young officers of both genders, encouraging them to pursue international training.
Beyond Customs: A Coffee Passion
Outside work, Rajitha cultivates an unexpected passion - coffee. While Sri Lanka is famed for tea, its emerging coffee culture captivated her during regional travels as nCEN consultant. She completed barista training and enjoys crafting coffee for loved ones using her home machine.
Rajitha's story transcends professional achievement, embodying how women can redefine traditional sectors through perseverance. Her journey demonstrates that with determination, women can excel in any field while maintaining personal passions.