Business
Fems H.E.R. Foundation empowers women and girls across Sri Lanka, igniting an unstoppable journey
Women and girls can be powerful agents of change. However, greater focus is needed to create an environment to enable them to participate as equal decision-makers in their homes and communities. Providing them with more opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the country’s development and future prosperity is essential. Fems, a leading feminine hygiene care brand by Hemas Consumer Brands, has always encouraged and supported women to achieve their dreams in their chosen fields. Recognizing the importance empowered women and girls play in building better futures for themselves and society, Fems is taking the lead in accelerating progress for women through introducing the ‘H.E.R Foundation’ (Help. Empower. Rise.)
Shiyan Jayaweera, Director Marketing of Hemas Consumer Brands, said, “Fems, as a flagship feminine hygiene care brand, has consistently championed the rise of women and girls by empowering them to dream beyond societal constraints. The H.E.R. Foundation is a natural extension of our commitment in supporting women’s health and hygiene needs, providing solutions and resources that will help raise awareness, educate communities, and further encourage women and girls in the country to overcome various hurdles.”
The H.E.R Foundation is dedicated to addressing the challenges Sri Lankan women and girls face, through initiatives ranging from education on hygiene practices to improving access to sanitary napkins, igniting their unstoppable journey. The initiative, based on three core pillars: Help, Empower and Rise, seeks to advance an environment of inclusivity and empowerment for women from all walks of life.
The Help pillar focuses on affordability and accessibility. Insufficient education and affordability have led 70% of women within the country to irregular access to napkins. So Fems introduced ‘AYA’ in 2022, a pioneering economical sanitary napkin brand with exceptional product standards. The Foundation ensures that ‘AYA’ sanitary napkins are within reach for every woman, supporting them to face their period with dignity and ease. To date ‘Aya’ has been made accessible to over 270,000 households island wide.
The Empower pillar champions open discussions and unhindered access to sanitary products. By introducing sanitary napkins in schools and workplaces, Fems seeks to empower girls and women to embrace their journey without any difficulty. Fems has trained and educated over 125,000 women and girls on good menstrual hygiene practices through its school and corporate education programs.
The Rise pillar challenges gender norms and inspires future generations while recognising and celebrating the achievements of women from diverse backgrounds.
To amplify the impact and widen its sphere of influence, the H.E.R. Foundation partners with like-minded organizations, individuals, and advocates who share a common vision of Empowering women. H.E.R Foundation currently collaborates with the Sarvodaya Women’s Movement, Fusion, Arka Initiative and the MJF Charitable Foundation.
The call to action is clear: H.E.R. Foundation welcomes those who are committed to making a difference. Looking ahead, the Foundation aims to foster deeper partnerships with organizations, driving substantial change and championing the cause of women’s progress, creating a greater impact that extends beyond cultures and generations.
The inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025 concluded with industry leaders and regulators establishing two critical national priorities: a bold target to reduce physical cash usage and a push for consolidated regulatory oversight.
In a key decision, participants set a clear three-year goal to lower the ratio of cash in circulation to GDP from 4.5% to 3.5%. The strategy will focus on digitizing high-cash sectors like transport, utilities, and SME payments, while expanding digital access through post offices and cooperatives.
For the long-term health of the ecosystem, stakeholders agreed to lobby for the creation of a single, unified regulatory authority dedicated to fintech oversight. This aims to streamline approvals and provide clearer guidance for innovators.
“Our members needed to leave with concrete action points,” said Channa de Silva, Chairman of the Fintech Forum, Sri Lanka. The summit, designed as a series of closed-door roundtables with regulators including the Central Bank, produced actionable frameworks. “It was about defining KPIs, setting targets, and giving the industry a shared direction,” de Silva explained.
The outcomes signal a concerted shift from discussion to execution, aiming to build a more inclusive, efficient, and secure digital financial economy for Sri Lanka.
By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️
A new force in Sri Lanka’s food industry, Kukus Group, is gaining momentum with a clear vision to deliver authentic cuisine, high hygiene standards, and affordability. Founded by young entrepreneurs Nadeera Senanayaka, Lakmini Gurusinghe, and Randila Gunasinghe, the group has successfully launched its pilot outlet and is now preparing for a significant nationwide expansion.
The inaugural in Kotte has served as a successful proof of concept. Operating for five months, this modern street-food outlet has garnered a strong customer response, confirming market demand and providing the confidence to fund the group’s ambitious growth strategy.
The inaugural in Kotte
“The positive reception has been overwhelming and has solidified our plans,” said Lakmini Gurusinghe and Randila Gunasinghe. “Our Kotte outlet is the operational model we will replicate – ensuring consistent quality, disciplined operations, and excellent service across all future locations.”
The group’s expansion strategy is built on three distinct thematic brands:
Kukus Street: Targeting young urban customers, these outlets offer a vibrant, casual dining experience with a menu of Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, snacks, and BBQ, with most meals priced under Rs. 1,500. Services include dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.
Kukus Beach: Planned for coastal areas, beginning in the South, this concept will feature an urban-style beach restaurant and pub designed for relaxed social dining.
Kukus Bioscope: Celebrating Sri Lanka’s cinematic heritage, this dedicated restaurant concept will create a nostalgic cultural space inspired by the golden eras of Sinhala cinema, with the first outlet slated for Colombo.
The immediate plan includes transforming the flagship Kotte location into Kukus Pub & Bar, pending regulatory approvals. The long-term vision is to develop 18 outlets nationwide: 10 Kukus Street locations, 5 Kukus Beach venues, and 3 Kukus Bioscope establishments.
“Kukus Group is more than a hospitality brand; it’s a celebration of Sri Lankan flavors and culture,” the founders concluded. “Our mission is to build trusted, recognizable brands that connect deeply with communities and offer lasting cultural value alongside authentic cuisine. We are dynamic and excited to proceed with this strategic expansion,” they said.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Fcode Labs marked its seventh anniversary by hosting its annual Awards Night 2025 at Waters Edge, celebrating team achievements and reinforcing its organizational values.
The event featured keynote addresses from Co-Founders & CEOs Buddhishan Manamperi and Tharindu Malawaraarachchi, who reflected on the company’s annual progress and future strategy. Chief Operating Officer Pamaljith Harshapriya outlined operational priorities for the next phase of growth.
Awards were presented across three key categories. Prabhanu Gunaweera and Dushan Pramod received Customer Excellence awards for partner collaboration. Performance Excellence awards were granted to Munsira Mansoor, Thusara Wanigathunga, Thushan De Silva, Adithya Narasinghe, Avantha Dissanayake, Amanda Janmaweera, Sithika Guruge, and Sandali Gunawardena. The Value-Based Behaviour awards were given to Thilina Hewagama, Udara Sembukuttiarachchi, and Kavindu Dhananjaya for exemplifying company values.
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