Women’s Chamber honours women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
View(s):The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Awards ceremony of the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) was held recently at the Taj Samudra hotel in Colombo in the presence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Most Positively Able Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Award: Ms. M. G Thanuja Dayadare Navaratne - Gruvyinno Consultancy Services with her award.
In her welcome address, Ms. Chathuri Ranasinghe – WCIC Chairperson said that today an increasing number of school leaver- girls and women venture into entrepreneurship in many different areas of activities.
The desire to work for oneself is a noticeable trait one comes across amongst young people these days. Thus the categories of awards have been increased over the years to encompass all types of entrepreneurship i.e. gold, silver and bronze awards in micro, small, medium, large and extra-large categories with the three special awards.
This year two new additions to the awards were the “Most Innovative Woman Entrepreneur” and giving consideration to the large number of differently-able women in entrepreneurship, and the “Most Positively Able Women Entrepreneur.”
She said the chamber attempts to reach as many urban and rural eligible women entrepreneurs as possible and has been encouraged by the enthusiasm the awards have created among them.
“The chamber is aware that in many parts of the country there are women who have the spirit of entrepreneurship in them but who face certain issues which restrict their progress. The chamber therefore works towards empowering such women from all communities and regions in the country who aspire to use their abilities, talents, powers of innovation and hard work to climb the ladder of success in their chosen endeavours which would enrich not only themselves, their family and community but also the country’s economy,” she added.
The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 award in the Extra-Large Category gold went to Ms. Aban Pestonjee, chairperson of Abans Group of Companies.
Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Award: Ms. Shianthi Ashwini Aiyar - Aiyar Enterprises with her award.