Business
Unilever Sri Lanka recognised as one of Asia’s Best Employer Brands in 2022
Empowers 30,000+ youth to help build a purposeful Sri Lanka
Unilever Sri Lanka emerged as one of ‘Asia’s Best Employer Brands’ in 2022 at the 17th Employer Brands Awards held at Pan Pacific, Singapore. The FMCG giant was ranked amongst the Top 50 companies in Asia for its outstanding contributions to Human Resources Management in the country. The event was hosted by the World HRD Congress and Stars of the Industry Group and endorsed by the Asian Confederation of Business. The awards were adjudged by the Employer Branding Institute, a virtual organisation which connects senior HR leaders across the world to share best practices in Employer Branding.
Sharing her thoughts, Ananya Sabharwal, Human Resources Director of Unilever Sri Lanka said, “We are truly humbled to receive this coveted recognition which underscores our commitment to building leaders of tomorrow. Many of our employees say that Unilever is like a university. I myself am grateful to have received a rich variety of exposure across the globe since my Unilever career gave me the opportunity to work and learn across India, USA, UK, the Netherlands and now most recently Sri Lanka. We want our youth to also experience development opportunities to become future fit citizens of the world. We not only invest in classroom trainings for students, but also offer flexible development interventions where our youth get to continue their studies whilst getting first-hand corporate exposure that help form a strong foundation for meaningful careers ahead. We truly believe that investing in our youth is one of the most promising ways in which we can invest in the growth and future of Sri Lanka, especially during these challenging times”.
Adding her thoughts, Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson and Managing Director of Unilever Sri Lanka said, “Through the Unilever Compass, we’re committed to helping people stay fit for work – now and in the future. And in this journey, we are equipping people to adapt and thrive in today’s rapidly changing world whilst partnering with others to create jobs and skills for our youth. We will continue to support our people and our youth, thereby developing and enhancing their skills in the hopes of building a better tomorrow.”
Unilever Sri Lanka has touched the lives of 30,000+ Sri Lankan youth to become more employable over the last five years through its ‘Employer Brand’ youth initiatives. The company is also a pioneer in offering flexible and novel industry exposure stints for selected undergraduates who seek part-time/short-term exposure opportunities while studying fulltime.
SPARKS – Unilever’s Student Ambassador Programme invites undergraduates from top Sri Lankan universities to become Unilever ambassadors within their universities for one year. Together with the company, 20 young and versatile youngsters drive ~3 campus sessions per week across leading universities in the island and bring to life the Unilever Youth Forum which is one of the largest undergraduate forums held in the country that connects Sri Lankan youth with industry leaders. Over the last 8 years, the company has selected 110+ student ambassadors across 9 main universities and delivered 100+ skill development programmes across campuses.
The company’s Unilever Challenge which is a real time brand centered case study competition, offers undergraduates and fresh graduates the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at the Global Unilever Future Leaders League, giving them first-hand experience in working with leading brands and building their disruptive thinking. This year, the local team coached by Unilever Sri Lanka emerged as runners-up, beating over 54,000 applicants and 500+ undergraduates worldwide.
ULEARN is another novel intervention of Unilever for undergraduates to volunteer for short-term business projects with Unilever Sri Lanka. These structured programmes enable flexibility and provides first-hand corporate exposure to students at a very early stage in their careers.
In its quest to enable youth employability and unlock future talent to reverse the current brain drain trend in the country, the company has also partnered with John Keels Holdings and London Stock Exchange to launch ‘Fast-Track’, a cross-industry Summer Internship for Sri Lankan students studying locally and abroad; and has partnered with CIMA, the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU), AIESEC Sri Lanka and Gavel clubs, to help support dynamic capability building in Sri Lankan youth.
Business
Sarvodaya Development Finance joins Global Banking Alliance, set to host annual board meeting in Sri Lanka
Remarking a new milestone in its pledged journey towards sustainable financing and inclusive financing,
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has secured the full membership in the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an international network of banks working to build a more sustainable and inclusive financial system.
Through this membership, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC aims to strengthen its ability to create social and environmental impacts by expanding access to ethical financial tools, supporting community-led development, and promoting environmentally responsible lending. The alliance provides opportunities to engage with global peers, share practical knowledge, and adopt approaches that have worked in similar contexts around the world. It also allows Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC to align more closely with international standards on sustainable finance, build relationships with mission-aligned investors, and stay informed on evolving policy and regulatory trends. As part of this engagement, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC will host the Asia Pacific Conference and the GABV Annual Board Meeting in Colombo on October 15–16, 2025, bringing together CEOs from over 12 countries to collaborate on advancing values-based banking across the region.
The 17th Annual Meeting of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values was held in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme “Building Resilient Futures.” The event brought leaders from over 70 member banks across more than 45 countries to the GABV network to discuss how values-based banks can respond to global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and digital transformation. Channa De Silva – the Chairman and the Nilantha Jayanetti – the Chief Executive Officer of Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC have represented the Company at this event.
Business
Sanjiv Hulugalle appointed CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka
A Global Hospitality Visionary Returns Home to Lead Sri Lanka’s Most Ambitious Integrated Resort
Cinnamon Life announces the appointment of Sanjiv Hulugalle as the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s hospitality landscape.
With a career that spans over three decades and 12 countries across five continents, Hulugalle brings to Cinnamon Life an unparalleled legacy in luxury hospitality, real estate development, and transformative leadership. From the Maldives to Canada, China to the UAE, he has been at the helm of some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality and real estate ventures.
Previously the Group President of Hospitality & Real Estate at KOHLER Co., Hulugalle drove innovation and strategic growth across a diverse portfolio. At Auberge Resorts Collection, he led the ambitious repositioning of a $210 million development. His 24-year tenure with Four Seasons saw him lead top-tier teams and deliver award-winning results across the globe.
But this latest chapter is deeply personal.
Having been semi-retired, Hulugalle’s return to Sri Lanka was sparked not by circumstance, but by calling and purpose. “This is not just a role,” says Hulugalle. “It’s a way of giving back to the country that raised me—with its gracious hospitality, boundless warmth, and vibrant soul.”
“Sri Lankan hospitality is naturally gracious and kind,” he reflects. “It’s in our DNA. My mother would’ve wanted me to return and give back.”
Redefining Colombo as a City of Dreams
With Hulugalle at the helm, Cinnamon Life is set to emerge not just as a landmark development in Colombo—but as a destination, that captures the imagination of the world. Under his leadership, City of Dreams will embody the essence of modern Sri Lanka: rooted in culture, rich in character, and radiating with opportunity.
In addition to his work in hospitality, Hulugalle is also an active investor in AI-led technologies, residential real estate, and wellness-driven consumer brands, always seeking to blend strategic foresight with heartfelt service.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), hosted an Issuer Forum in Gampaha aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exploring avenues for capital raising through listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
The forum, titled “Redefining the Trajectory of Your Business”, provided guidance on exploring effective capital-raising avenues, specifically through listing on the Empower and Diri Savi Boards. These boards offer dedicated listing platforms for SMEs, focusing on sectors such as agribusiness, livestock, energy generation, ICT, and tourism-related ventures. Attracting over 70 participants, the forum offered valuable insights that were well received.
The main presentation of the evening, delivered by Mr. Nikila Darmadasa, Senior Management Associate of the Corporate Advisory Division at NDB Investment Bank Limited, educated the participants on the benefits of capital generation and mobilization through listing on the CSE, outlining the processes and advantages for businesses ready to grow beyond traditional financing models.
A panel discussion on “The Journey Towards Listing and Life After Listing” featured Manuri Weerasignhe, Director, Corporate Affairs, SEC; Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO, CSE; Nikila Darmadasa, and J.F. Fernandopulle, Managing Director and CEO, Mahaweli Coconut Plantations PLC. The session was moderated by Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President, Commercial, CSE. The panel offered practical perspectives on preparing for a listing, regulatory expectations, and the business journey post-listing.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of the SEC and CSE to broaden access to capital market opportunities for SMEs across Sri Lanka, enabling them to scale sustainably while contributing meaningfully to the national economy.
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