Celebrating the Brilliance and Resilience of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and SAARC Region
The WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024, held on the 7th of Jan 2025, recognized and celebrated the achievements of, exceptional women entrepreneurs. This flagship event, organized annually by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), honors women entrepreneurs for their determination to scale and grow their businesses, making a positive contribution to the Sri Lankan economy. The awards were open to women entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka and the SAARC region, with a focus on strategic business growth, finance, and governance.
WCIC Celebrates it’s 40th year of trailblazing existence, in 2025 and the award ceremony was the inaugural event under the activity planned for the year
The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and Guest of Honor, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, alongside our sponsors, past chairs of WCIC, members of WCIC, award winners, and their families
The event highlighted the diversity and impact of women entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka and the SAARC region. This year’s edition saw an inspiring 43% of applications coming from micro and small enterprises, with 33% from startups, showcasing the growing engagement of emerging businesses.
National Winners:
- The Woman of Courage 2024 – Jenika Senani Warusavithana (Senani Food Products (Pvt) Ltd)
- The Most Innovative Entrepreneur of 2024 – Sanjiwani Perera (RHS Zone)
- The Social Entrepreneur of 2024 – Praveena Joseph de Saram (Shiranee Joseph de Saram Foundation)
- The Young Woman Entrepreneur of 2024 – Lasni Silva (Spice Carriage (Pvt) Ltd)
- The Outstanding Start-Up of 2024 – Nevindaree Premarathne (The Makers Global)
- The Digital Entrepreneur of 2024 – Ayomi Gunawardena (Inivos Consulting (Pvt) Ltd)
- The Most Outstanding Export-Oriented Woman Entrepreneur of 2024 – Niluka Jayasinghe (Global Bookkeeping Solutions (Pvt) Ltd)
- The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 – Dr. Dilesha Perera (Dilchand (Pvt) Ltd)
Special Award 2023:
- The Woman Entrepreneur – SAARC Region 2024 – Dr. Dilesha Perera (Dilchand (Pvt) Ltd)
Category Winners:
Start-Up
- Gold: Nevindaree Premarathne (The Makers Global)
- Silver: Pavithra Hewavitharana (Gleamlk.com)
- Bronze: Sasmithaa Manickam (Candle Amore)
Micro
- Gold: Pubudu Wijeratne (Aklan)
- Silver: Sunethra Kumari Karunaratne (Oshadhi Beauty Salon)
- Bronze: Anusha Uthayakumaran (Kubera Laxmiy Enterprise)
Small
- Gold: Lasni Silva (Spice Carriage (Pvt) Ltd)
- Silver: Sanjiwani Perera (RHS Zone)
- Silver: Damayanthi Suraweera (MHN Holdings)
- Bronze: Praveena Joseph de Saram (Shiranee Joseph de Saram Foundation)
Medium
- Gold: Ayomi Gunawardena (Inivos Consulting (Pvt) Ltd)
- Silver: Dr. Wanshika Dilshani (Synergy Bio (Pvt) Ltd)
- Bronze: Niluka Jayasinghe (Global Bookkeeping Solutions (Pvt) Ltd)
Large
- Gold: Dr. Dilesha Perera (Dilchand (Pvt) Ltd)
- Silver: Denum Abeysekera (OKI International (Pvt) Ltd)
- Bronze: Pubudini Ishanthi (Professional Eco Care (Pvt) Ltd)
SAARC
- Gold: Metilda Agnes Stanley (Techsurance (Pvt) Ltd, India)
- Silver: Nighat Shahid (Shan Industries, Pakistan)
- Bronze: Rabia Usman (The Listener Mental Health & Wellness Services, Pakistan)
Provincial Winners:
- Western: Dr. Dilesha Perera (Dilchand (Pvt) Ltd)
- Central: Sanjiwani Perera (RHS Zone)
- Southern: M B Priyani (Thilini Lace)
- North Western: Bhagya Senanayake (Saterra Pottery)
- Sabaragamuwa: Manjula Janaki (Sakura Products and Export (Pvt) Ltd)
- Eastern: Mohamed Shareef Vijitha (Dhuniya Sweet Center)
- Uva: Nadeesha Tharanganee (Uva Agro Export (Pvt) Ltd)
- North Central: Pavithra Hewavitharana (Gleamlk.com)
- Northern: Anusha Uthayakumaran (Kubera Laxmiy Enterprise)
“As we honor the extraordinary strength and resilience of women entrepreneurs, we proudly celebrate these trailblazers who have not only built successful businesses but have done so with professionalism, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability,” WCIC President, Gayani de Alwis spoke in vision. “They are the driving force behind the future of Sri Lanka’s economy, and their unwavering determination continues to inspire us all. Today, we stand with them, celebrating their achievements and reinforcing our belief that women-owned, women-led businesses have the power to grow our economy in an ethical and sustainable manner.
“Prathibhabhisheka, a Sanskrit term symbolizing the crowning of women, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this event” co-chairs of the award ceremony, Tusita Kumarakulasingham and Nilani Senevirathna enlightened. “Relaunched in 2022, this program serves as a guiding platform for Sri Lanka’s highly capable women entrepreneurs to channel their efforts toward creating meaningful purposes for their businesses. Tonight, we celebrate their outstanding achievements and unwavering resilience. These exceptional women not only create a positive impact on society and the economy but also inspire the broader business community to dream big and persevere.”
The women who were recognized on this year, not only envisioned and built successful businesses, but also managed them with professionalism, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. Their contributions to the Sri Lankan economy have been invaluable. Celebrating and recognizing the hard work and impact of the entrepreneurs who won awards, has been one of WCIC’s key efforts to awaken many more to tread that path.
The Women’s Entrepreneur Awards 2024 is presented by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce in partnership with Platinum Partner AIA Sri Lanka, Diamond and Banking Partner DFCC Bank/DFCC Aloka, Collaborative Partner USAID, Gold Partners McLarens Group, Sunquick, Unilever Arunalu, Silver Partner Hayleys PLC, Bronze Partners Pidilite, Impra Teas, Dimo, Media Partner Wijeya Group, Electronic Media Partner ABC Network, Hospitality Partner Hilton Colombo, Airline Partner Sri Lankan, Knowledge Partner E&Y, Communication Partner Triad, and Event Partner Funtime.
The WCIC, Sri Lanka’s premier national chamber for supporting women entrepreneurs and professional businesswomen, continues its mission to empower women through initiatives like WCIC Prathibhabhisheka. This flagship program aims to recognize and celebrate women entrepreneurs who have shown exceptional resilience and made significant contributions to economic growth.
