There is something uniquely inspiring about watching women transform challenges into opportunities, defy expectations, and redefine leadership. This year, that spirit takes centre stage as the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) presents its flagship event, the Prathibhabhisheka: Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 (WEA 2025), powered by AIA Insurance. For decades, the WCIC has been a platform that not only advocates for women in business but also creates spaces for recognition, connection, and empowerment. The Awards are a culmination of that vision, celebrating women who have pushed boundaries, built enterprises from scratch, and become role models for the next generation. In 2025, the Awards are bigger than ever, reaching across Sri Lanka and into the SAARC region, spotlighting the immense contribution of women entrepreneurs to the economy and society.
The Chamber’s Vision
The WCIC holds a unique place in Sri Lanka as the country’s first national chamber for women in business. Its mission has always been clear: to empower women to be powerful nation builders by helping them realise their fullest potential, fostering connections, and offering opportunities for professional growth. In that sense, the Prathibhabhisheka Awards are not just about trophies or titles. They are about creating a culture where women entrepreneurs are celebrated, emulated, and supported. By recognising women who lead enterprises of all sizes, whether a village-based start-up or a multinational exporter, the WCIC sends a powerful message: every woman’s contribution matters. The past few years have been a test of resilience for entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka and the region. Economic instability, global disruptions, and shifting market conditions have challenged even the most seasoned business leaders. Yet, time and again, women have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and innovation. The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 honour this spirit. They recognise not just financial success, but also courage, creativity, and the determination to uplift communities. They celebrate women who stand as examples that entrepreneurship is not bound by gender, and that when women thrive, entire societies benefit.
A Rigorous and Fair Process
One of the most compelling aspects of the Awards is the three-step evaluation process, which balances storytelling with hard data.
- My Story: Applicants narrate their entrepreneurial journey in their own words, covering their purpose, innovation, value creation, and future vision. It’s a deeply personal exercise, one that allows judges to see beyond the numbers into the passion and resilience behind each enterprise.
- Finance and Governance: Numbers do matter, and applicants are required to provide audited financials, governance structures, and evidence of employee development. Transparency and accountability are as celebrated as profitability.
- Interviews: Shortlisted entrepreneurs then face the judges, where personality, clarity of vision, quick thinking, and economic impact are assessed. Here, the entrepreneur herself is at the heart of the evaluation, ensuring the Awards celebrate leadership as much as business outcomes.
The holistic nature of this process makes the recognition deeply credible. It’s not about who tells the flashiest story, nor simply about who has the largest balance sheet; it’s about sustainable, authentic impact.
Award Categories: Something for Everyone
The structure of the Awards reflects the diversity of women-led enterprises. Categories span from start-ups (under five years old) and micro enterprises (annual revenue below Rs. 5 million) to large companies earning over Rs. 251 million. The inclusivity doesn’t stop there. Applicants from the wider SAARC region are invited to compete under medium and large categories, ensuring that the Awards celebrate South Asian women entrepreneurs who share similar challenges and triumphs. By dividing categories in this way, the WCIC ensures that women are recognised alongside peers at similar stages of growth, while also inspiring them to aspire to the next level.
Regional Reach
For me, one of the most meaningful aspects of the Awards is the regional recognition. Too often, conversations about entrepreneurship centre around Colombo. The WCIC breaks this mould by honouring women from across the nine provinces; from the Northern and Eastern provinces to Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and the South. The Best of the Region Award ensures that no matter where a woman builds her business, her achievements can be celebrated nationally. It sends a powerful message to young women in rural Sri Lanka: your work matters, your voice matters, and your dreams can take you to the national stage.
Spotlight Awards: Celebrating Distinction
Beyond the standard categories, the ten highlight awards at WEA 2025 are especially inspiring. They include:
- Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
- SAARC Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
- Most Outstanding Export-Oriented Woman Entrepreneur
- Digital Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
- Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
- Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
- Outstanding Start-Up of the Year 2025
- Woman of Courage 2025
- Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
These awards tell us that entrepreneurship is not one-dimensional. It can be about harnessing digital transformation, building export markets, or using business as a vehicle for social good. It can be about youth, innovation, or sheer courage in the face of adversity.
Building a Legacy of Mentorship
Another remarkable feature of the Awards is that recognition does not end with the ceremony. The WCIC provides mentorship and guidance to both winners and non-winners. In doing so, it ensures that every woman who applies benefits from the process. This is what makes the initiative more than an awards night; it’s a launchpad for growth. By opening doors to new markets, offering role models, and creating networks, the WCIC fosters a culture of continuous empowerment.
Applications and Accessibility
True to its inclusive ethos, the Awards accept applications in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, with submission deadlines set for 15 October 2025. The ceremony itself will take place in January 2026, marking a grand celebration of achievement and resilience. Application fees are tiered based on business size and WCIC membership, ensuring that no deserving entrepreneur is priced out of the opportunity. The process is rigorous, but it is also designed to be accessible, with guidance provided by the Chamber throughout.
Beyond Recognition: Why It Matters Now
As Sri Lanka looks toward recovery and sustainable growth, the role of women in business has never been more critical. Women bring unique perspectives to leadership, prioritising community, sustainability, and resilience alongside profit. By celebrating their contributions, the Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 shine a light on the untapped potential of women in driving economic transformation. They remind us that empowering women is not just about fairness; it is about unlocking opportunities for entire communities and economies.
The stage is set for January 2026, when women from across Sri Lanka and South Asia will gather to celebrate their journeys. Behind the glitz and glamour, however, lies something far more significant: the forging of a legacy. The WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Awards are not a one-off recognition. They are part of a growing movement to mainstream women’s leadership, to embed it in the fabric of economic progress, and to inspire future generations to believe that there is no limit to what they can achieve.
As a writer, I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless stories of women who have built businesses brick by brick, often against the odds. What strikes me every time is not just their resilience, but their ability to dream bigger than themselves; to create value for their teams, their communities, and their country. The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 capture that spirit. They are more than an event. They are a reminder of what is possible when women are given the recognition and support, they deserve. In celebrating these entrepreneurs, we celebrate the future of Sri Lanka and the region; one built on innovation, inclusivity, and courage. And in January 2026, when the winners take the stage, it will not just be their moment, it will be a moment for all of us who believe in the power of women to transform the world.
