Marking a remarkable milestone in its 15-year journey of empowering women across Sri Lanka and beyond, Women in Management (WIM) hosted the inaugural Women MSME Awards 2025 on 7th October 2025 at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo. The event celebrated and recognized 40 exceptional women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) representing all nine provinces of Sri Lanka, as well as enterprises contributing to national, export, and international markets. Graced by His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as Chief Guest, and Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, Member of Parliament, as Guest of Honour, the ceremony brought together international diplomats, political leaders, development partners, and members of the corporate sector; a testament to the growing global recognition of WIM’s mission to advance gender equality and women’s entrepreneurship.
A New Milestone in WIM’s Empowerment Journey
For over a decade and a half, Women in Management has been a driving force in advancing gender equality, entrepreneurship, and leadership development across Sri Lanka. From empowering women in rural communities to mentoring corporate leaders, WIM’s work has consistently bridged the gap between aspiration and opportunity. This year, WIM expanded its prestigious recognition platform to women in the MSME sector through the launch of the Women MSME Awards, a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to celebrating the country’s most resilient and innovative women entrepreneurs. The awards underscore WIM’s enduring mission: to create inclusive economic opportunities for women, strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems, and promote financial independence at every level of society. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder and Chairperson of WIM, reflected on the organization’s long-standing engagement with women in enterprise: “Many who do not know my work may not realize that WIM has been working with women in rural entrepreneurship since its inception. We have conducted more than 5,000 workshops across the nation and witnessed firsthand the struggles women face in accessing finance and markets. Often, funding reaches those who are well-connected rather than those who truly have the right product or service. These initiatives were launched to make opportunities equal for all women, regardless of background.” Through the Women MSME Awards, WIM not only honours achievement but also amplifies the voices of women who, against countless challenges, have turned their ideas into thriving businesses, enterprises that create jobs, strengthen communities, and contribute to national growth.
A Global Vision for Local Impact
Delivering the keynote address, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, highlighted the global significance of supporting women entrepreneurs and integrating them into international trade networks. “The British High Commission in Colombo has been actively involved in the SheTrades program, a global initiative by the International Trade Centre (ITC) to connect women entrepreneurs to international markets. The SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub provides resources, training, and market access to women-led businesses in the country.” His Excellency further emphasized the shared vision between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka in promoting a fair, inclusive, and gender-equal business environment where women have the resources and confidence to compete globally.
Empowering Through Innovation
The Women MSME Awards 2025 also marked the launch of three landmark initiatives designed to create a holistic ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, developed by WIM in partnership with Adventas. These initiatives aim to provide women-led enterprises with the tools, training, and digital infrastructure needed to succeed in today’s competitive markets:
- WIMPower Incubator: A capacity-building platform to nurture business ideas, enhance managerial skills, and strengthen operational readiness for market expansion.
- IdeaGen Platform: A networking hub connecting innovators, mentors, and investors, enabling women entrepreneurs to gain visibility and partnerships.
- WIMSME Portal: A comprehensive digital gateway offering access to local and international markets, financial institutions, and investment opportunities.
Together, these initiatives form a sustainable framework for discovery, growth, and scale, ensuring that women entrepreneurs, from grassroots producers to export-ready enterprises, have access to the resources they need to thrive.
The Power of Entrepreneurship
Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, Member of Parliament and entrepreneur, shared his insights on the transformative role of entrepreneurship in national development: “I entered politics with one mission, to ensure our citizens understand that only entrepreneurship can take Sri Lanka forward. There is no gender in entrepreneurship; it is an attitude, not merely a skill. The future of our nation depends on those who think like entrepreneurs.” His remarks underscored a key principle echoed throughout the evening: that empowering women entrepreneurs is not just about equality, it’s about economic necessity, resilience, and national progress.
Recognizing Excellence
The Women MSME Awards 2025 received over 100 nominations from across Sri Lanka’s nine provinces. After a detailed and transparent evaluation process, 40 winners were selected for their outstanding contributions to enterprise, innovation, and social impact. Each nomination was assessed based on sustainability, innovation, scalability, and community contribution. In cases where further clarification was required, shortlisted entrepreneurs were personally interviewed to better understand their business models and challenges. Ms. Minoli Wickramasinghe, Chair of the Panel of Judges, shared her reflections on the evaluation process: “While evaluating the entries, we found that some women were hesitant to submit annual business accounts due to misconceptions about taxation. This highlights the need for greater financial literacy and trust in formal business systems. It also reflects the vital role organizations like WIM play in building this awareness and bridging that gap.” The judging panel represented a diverse mix of expertise from government, private sector, associations, and development organizations, ensuring a fair and well-rounded evaluation.
Panel of Judges:
- Minoli Wickramasinghe: CEO & Managing Director, Capital Trust Properties
- Manajo Wdugodapitiya: Group CEO, Pams Hydro Power
- Udana Wickramasinghe: Director, Sri Lanka Tourism
- Neelika Thillekeratne: Secretary General, AmCham Sri Lanka
- Erandika Dissanayake: Director, Ministry of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development
- Delvin Pereira: Rotary Governor, Sri Lanka & Maldives
The Panel Chair was Ms. Amali Mudunkotuwa Mendis, WIM Executive Committee Member.
The awardees represented a spectrum of industries, from food production and apparel to sustainable farming, education, and digital innovation, reflecting the diverse contributions of women-led MSMEs to Sri Lanka’s economy.
Celebrating 15 Years of Empowerment
The Women MSME Awards 2025 coincided with the 15th anniversary of Women in Management, marking a powerful milestone in its journey of driving gender inclusion, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. Over the past fifteen years, WIM has created a platform that has recognized, mentored, and connected thousands of women, from boardrooms to rural villages, demonstrating that empowerment begins when women are given access, recognition, and support. Through partnerships with international organizations, corporates, and government agencies, WIM has continually expanded its impact across multiple sectors. Today, its initiatives span career development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship incubation, and global recognition platforms, reaching women in every province of Sri Lanka and across South Asia and Canada through the WIM Global Awards. “This is more than a celebration of awards, it is a celebration of courage, resilience, and leadership,” said Dr. Segera. “Fifteen years ago, we started with a simple belief: that women, if given the right opportunity, can change not only their own lives but the lives of everyone around them. Tonight, that belief stands stronger than ever.”
Inspiring a Nation of Changemakers
As the evening drew to a close, the 40 Women MSME Award winners took the stage, a powerful collective symbol of Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience. Their stories of innovation, perseverance, and community leadership resonated deeply with the audience, serving as a reminder that when women rise, nations prosper. The Women MSME Awards 2025 not only recognized individual excellence but also spotlighted the potential of women-owned MSMEs to contribute to Sri Lanka’s post-crisis economic recovery, job creation, and sustainable development. With initiatives such as the WIMPower Incubator, IdeaGen, and WIMSME Portal, Women in Management continues to lead the movement for inclusive entrepreneurship, ensuring that every woman, regardless of her background or geography, has the opportunity to thrive. Women in Management, fifteen years strong, and still growing, remains steadfast in its vision to empower women through recognition, mentorship, and access to opportunity. Because when women are empowered to lead, innovate, and inspire, the impact goes far beyond business, it transforms families, communities, and the nation itself.
WINNERS
Provincial and Sectoral Winners
- Jaruza Suveethan: Northern Province: Small Enterprise in Hospitality
- L. H. Thilini Dananjani Kulathunga: North Central Province: Emerging Enterprise in Home Linen
- Nayana Kanthi Rupasinghe: Specialized Denim Garments – Medium Enterprise
- Rahubadda Kankanam’s Lakmali: Southern Province: Small Enterprise in Snack Manufacturing
- Wickrama Herathlage Muditha Rasanjalee: Emerging Global SME – Agriculture
- Fathima Sumaiya Jinnah Sahib: Small Enterprise in Logistics
- Kariyapperuma Athukoralalage Dona Levine: Small Enterprise in the Automotive Industry
- Randi Jagoda: Sabaragamuwa Province: Sustainable Fashion
- Ushani Karunarathne: Central Province: Emerging Enterprise in Handicrafts
- K. I. U. Silva: Upcoming Enterprise in Sustainable Tourism
Sectoral and Emerging Leaders
- Fazeela Dharmaratne: Medium Enterprise Excellence in Child Care & Early Childhood Education
- Heshani Bogollagama: Medium Enterprise in Real Estate
- J. M. N. S. Jayasinghe: Emerging Global MSME – Financial Services
- Deshika Rodrigo: MSME Award for Professional Services
- Sujica Janahan: Eastern Province: Emerging Exporter – Small Enterprise
- Mathara Achchige Pubudini Ishanthi: Small Enterprise in Eco Care & Energy Efficiency
- Shenika De Livera: Emerging Enterprise in Food & Catering Services
- Nayomi Handunnetti: Emerging Enterprise in Sustainable Wellness and Agribusiness
- Heshani Kaumadi: MSME Excellence in Human Resources and Recruitment Solutions – Small Enterprise
- Kalani Siriwardana: MSME Excellence in Water and Wastewater Management – Medium Enterprise
Global and Innovative Excellence
- Nilakshi Kasilingam: Emerging Global MSME Award
- Hansika Nanayakkara: Digital Exporter in Healthcare MSME
- Dr. Thushari Koralage (Ph.D.): Medium Enterprise Excellence in Education
- Petula Wijesinghe: Western Province: Upcoming Enterprise in Digital Banking
- Nevindaree Premarathne: Upcoming Techno-Entrepreneur in Education
- Niluka Weligamage: Social Entrepreneurship Award
- Anjula Sivakumaran: Global Trailblazer Award
- Sonali Dharmawardena: Heritage Arts & Contemporary Fashion Innovation
Provincial Recognition
- M. B. K. S. Kumari: Northwestern Province: Small Enterprise in Vocational Training
- R. B. Hansa Amali: Uva Province: Small Enterprise in Food Manufacturing
- Sewwandi Kumari Ranasinghe: Environmental Sustainability & Waste Management Excellence
- Meira Elizabeth Shayna VanDort: Emerging Young Entrepreneur
- Nivandani Kishani Hettiarachchi: Creative Enterprise – Banana Leaf Art & Handcrafted Décor
- R. M. Nirmal Kumari Rathnayake: Small Enterprise in Palmyra Handicrafts
- Thayanaa Santhuru: Small Enterprise in Distribution
Special Recognition – Outstanding Contribution to Women MSME Empowerment
- Zonta Club I: Ramola Sivasundaram
- Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka: Gayani De Alwis
- Chrysalis: Ashika Gunasena
- Women’s International Foundation: Seroshi D. Nandasiri
