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‘Top50 Women Global Economic Forum & Top50 Global Professional & Career Women Awards 2023’

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Positioning women’s business leadership at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, Women in Management (WIM) in collaboration with Women in Work, a partnership between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the government of Australia, launched the ‘Top50’ Women Global Economic Forum and ‘Top50’ Global Professional & Career Women Awards 2023.

The three-day event, which is to be held from 15-17th June 2023 in Colombo, aims to open global network opportunities for Sri Lankan women, who are equipped with the potential and skills to contribute towards achieving inclusive economic growth.

This is IFC’s eighth year – fifth under the IFC-DFAT Women in Work programme – in co-hosting the awards which recognize and champion Sri Lankan women who have excelled in their careers, businesses and everyday life, inspiring others.

This year’s panel of judges will be chaired by Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Executive Director/Group Chief Executive Officer Hemas Holdings PLC; Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Maldives, former Cabinet Minister in Maldives and CEO of SIMDI; Sarah Twigg, Program Manager of Women in Work at IFC; Santosh Menon, Chairman of FCB Kl.LK; Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; Prof. Selvaraj Oyyan Pillay,  UUNIMAS Kuala Lumpur Learning Center @GIA; Dunston Pereira, CEO Private Office of HH Sheikh Ahamed bin Faisal Al Qassimi; Ngozi Oyewole, CEO of Noxie Limited and President Women in Africa; and Gowri Rajan, Director of Sun Match Company.

The nominations for the awards are open from 25th February to 25th March 2023 and can be made by visiting www.womeninmanagementawards.org.

The ‘Top50’ awards, launched in 2011 with a mere five awards, have now recognized over 580 women leaders, representing a wide array of professions such as banking and finance, hospitality, media, legal, logistics and supply chain. This year’s event also consists of a two-day forum – themed ‘Women Taking Center Stage for Economic Recovery’ – bringing in eminent local and international speakers as well as stakeholders across government, public and private sector, civil society, and international organizations to focus on the role the private sector can play in promoting gender equality and women’s business leadership.

“Every year, for over a decade, we have celebrated Sri Lankan women who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, while bringing about meaningful impact to society or economy. As the global and local economy witnesses massive upheaval, empowering women is undoubtedly the key to achieving gender equality and boosting the growth of national economies,” said Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder/Chairperson of Women in Management. “Women are changing the world and ‘Top50’ provides women the platform to step out confidently into the limelight and bask in due recognition. This year, through the global forum, we also aim to continue the important conversations about why women should also take a center stage in Sri Lanka’s as well as global economic recovery.”

While the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka affects all people, it has far-reaching consequences for women given they are disproportionately affected during crises. Increasing women’s economic participation and promoting women’s business leadership are therefore vital in achieving a resilient and inclusive recovery.

“Through recognition of the accomplishments of women in workplaces and communities, we can help empower and inspire future generations of female leaders. In Sri Lanka, the ‘Top50’ awards is a testament to this, and it is now more relevant than ever as the country looks to emerge from crisis on the path to a resilient recovery,” said Alejandro Alvarez de la Campa, Country Manager for IFC in Sri Lanka and Maldives. “No country can afford to ignore the value of women and the benefits of gender equality to their country, economy and society.”

In the course of IFC’s 50-years of operations in Sri Lanka, WIM has been a longstanding partner. Together, IFC and WIM continue to provide skills-building and training opportunities for women in senior management, middle-management and those entrepreneurs who lead, or work in micro and small businesses in Sri Lanka. These initiatives, including the ‘Top 50’ awards, are initiated under the IFC-DFAT Women in Work program.

“Australia has a strong commitment to increasing women’s participation and enhancing women’s voice in decision making and leadership in Sri Lanka and other regions. This is the fifth year we are supporting the Top50 women in management awards. We are looking forward to celebrating exceptional Sri Lankan women leaders again this year,” said Lalita Kapur, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

With presence in Canada, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates, the ‘Top50′ Professional and Career Women Awards sets the stage for the award winners’ own career or business trajectory, and importantly, encourages many other aspiring Sri Lankan women from diverse backgrounds to explore new opportunities, propelling them to reach higher in their chosen field.

This year’s panel of judges will be chaired by Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Executive Director/Group Chief Executive Officer Hemas Holdings PLC; Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, Honorary Consul of Belgium in Maldives, former Cabinet Minister in Maldives and CEO of SIMDI; Sarah Twigg, Program Manager of Women in Work at IFC; Santosh Menon, Chairman of FCB Kl.LK; Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; Prof. Selvaraj Oyyan Pillay,  UUNIMAS Kuala Lumpur Learning Center @GIA; Dunston Pereira, CEO Private Office of HH Sheikh Ahamed bin Faisal Al Qassimi; Ngozi Oyewole, CEO of Noxie Limited and President Women in Africa; and Gowri Rajan, Director of Sun Match Company.

The nominations for the awards are open from 25th February to 25th March 2023 and can be made by visiting www.womeninmanagementawards.org.



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.

Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.

A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.

These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.

Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments

Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.

Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.

“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.

The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.

Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.

“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.

Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.

She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”

Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.

As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.

For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.

By Ifham Nizam

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.

Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.

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