entrepreneur Archives

March 27, 2024

Image-of-the-‘DIVA-Daathata-Diriyak-Entrepreneurial-Skills-Development-Programme-in-Galle-LBN.jpeg

DIVA, a proud Sri Lankan laundry care brand with over 20 years of heritage, celebrated the victors of the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development Programme in Galle on 28 February 2024. This initiative encompassed comprehensive training sessions centred around women’s entrepreneurship and skill enhancement. Post a thorough evaluation process, four highest performing entrepreneurs were awarded at this ceremony.

Amid the prevailing economic challenges confronting the nation, a striking trend has emerged: entrepreneurs, hailing from both small and medium-scale enterprises, have emerged as a driving force behind domestic economic growth. Their substantial contributions have played a vital role in revitalizing the nation’s economy. Particularly noteworthy is the transition of homemakers into entrepreneurs, bolstering their household economies. This transition extends beyond traditional domestic roles like sewing, knitting, and culinary arts, signalling a significant shift where women are actively propelling the national economy forward as integral members of the workforce. Their diverse talents, including craftsmanship, have empowered them to enter the entrepreneurial arena, thereby enhancing both their family’s financial well-being and the broader national economic landscape.

Recognizing the steadfast spirit of women entrepreneurs, DIVA has launched the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development programme with the primary aim of providing expert guidance to refine their business acumen, skills, and capabilities. This programme is meticulously crafted to empower women entrepreneurs by endowing them with the confidence, knowledge, and skills necessary for initiating, managing, and strategically selling their businesses. Understanding the challenges faced by some women due to constraints like time, knowledge gaps, and lack of support in pursuing their aspirations, DIVA is committed to extending a supportive hand to talented women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka through the Diva Daathata Diriyak initiative.

The programme diligently monitors the progress and potential of the women participating in the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development programme, with a particular emphasis on marketing women’s household products. Furthermore, it incentivizes women entrepreneurs who excel and secure top positions upon completing the programme by offering financial rewards to further fuel their growth and business capital.

These women entrepreneurs were assessed through a thorough evaluation process which included criteria such as business registration, accounting & bookkeeping, employment provided to other ladies, improvement in monthly sales, packaging & branding, new customer acquisition and innovative initiatives. Upon assessing the advancement achieved by the women entrepreneurs who participated in the programme, the following women emerged victorious. In First place was R.K Lakmali (Bites & Sweets) residing in Amabalangoda, Second was H.R.M Sarajoni (Kurakan powder production, honey & garlic, dry banana) residing in Karandeniya, and Third place was shared between W.C Manel Kumari (Shoes) residing in Ambalangoda and A.K Ramaya Priyani (Mushrooms & Food Technology) residing in Divithura, respectively. These extremely capable women were recognised and rewarded for their outstanding efforts.

As the saying goes, “The hands that rocks the cradle rule the world,” underscoring the crucial role of women in nurturing future generations and thereby shaping the nation’s development. It’s imperative to consistently acknowledge, cherish, and support these contributions. The ‘Diva Daathata Diriyak’ programme remains a steadfast source of inspiration and empowerment, nurturing women to embrace the future with their natural strengths and talents, thereby ushering them into a realm of business prospects.

February 16, 2024

The owner of Subhagya and New Singha Valley tea factories in the Southern Province, which produces high quality tea aimed at the international market, Geethani Hettiarachchi was honoured as the Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at Southern Province Entrepreneur Awards 2023. The distinguished award ceremony organised by the Southern Provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), aims to recognise and honour entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence.

The Subhagya tea factory owned by Hettiarachchi is located at Neluwa in Galle, and employs more than 150 people. The tea leaves required for its production are procured from the tea lands belonging to themselves and from around 1,600 tea smallholders in the area. The tea factory buys about 200,000 kilos of tea leaves per month. In addition, the New Singha Valley tea factory owned by her is located at Opatha in Akuressa. Both these tea factories produce Orthodox Tea and export it to many parts of the world after auctioning it through tea brokers such as Forbes and Walker and Mercantile Produce Brokers. After retiring as a government nurse, Hettiarachchi bought these two tea factories, which were in danger of closing down at that time, and increased their production. At present, those tea factories with significant production capacity have obtained all the relevant local and international quality certifications including ISO 22000. Through the business, she has been able to provide employment opportunities to a large number of people, strengthen the economy of team smallholders in the area and contribute to strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

January 5, 2024

Forms strategic partnerships with global entities to deliver mutual benefit for public and private organisations

Renowned Sri Lankan tech entrepreneur Chandita Samaranayake has launched Connect to Care, a pioneering charitable consulting firm aimed at delivering mutual benefit for corporates, non-profits, and government partners through strategic deployment of social impact initiatives. The firm collaborates with prestigious organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), World Bank, PATH, Global Health Strategies, Sarvodaya, Roshan Mahanama Trust, and Mithuru Mithuro.

With a profound commitment to fostering purpose-driven collaborations, the firm specialises as a bridge between international entities, local partners, and government bodies. Connect to Care excels in identifying, cultivating, and managing strategic alliances and collaborations that pave the way for partners to achieve long-term goals. The firm’s expertise extends to holistic project management, coordinating stakeholder meetings, ensuring alignment with project objectives, and maintaining project momentum through meticulous decision documentation and effective action item tracking.

Additionally, Connect to Care navigates complex landscapes, guiding partners through bureaucratic obstacles, governmental intricacies, and cultural nuances, enabling them to concentrate on their core mission. The firm’s strategic advocacy services leverage knowledge of political landscapes, legislative processes, and industry dynamics to influence public policies, regulations, and industry standards. Connect to Care also prioritises effective communication, streamlining channels for sharing minutes of meetings, progress reports, and essential updates to promote transparency and mutual accountability among stakeholders.

Commenting on his newest venture, Connect to Care Founder and Chairman Chandita Samaranayake said, “I am honoured to launch Connect to Care, a venture deeply rooted in the belief that positive change requires purposeful collaboration and strategic action. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to making a meaningful impact in a world faced with multifaceted challenges. Connect to Care serves as a bridge between entities, facilitating partnerships that transcend borders, industries, and sectors.”

Connect to Care aims to stand as a beacon of change with a dedicated focus on ten key areas that are pivotal for societal well-being. The firm is deeply committed to alleviating poverty, recognising it as a fundamental challenge that requires purposeful and sustainable solutions. Addressing the critical issues of food security and nutrition, Connect to Care aims to ensure that everyone has enough nutritious food for a healthy and fulfilling life.

Furthermore, the company takes a stand against drug abuse, advocates for childhood cancer awareness and prevention, and works towards creating an inclusive world for children with disabilities. The firm’s endeavours extend to promoting overall health and well-being, empowering financial independence through initiatives related to financial inclusion, and advancing sustainable farming practices and communities through agriculture development. In each of these focus areas, Connect to Care brings purpose-driven solutions to the forefront, embodying its commitment to positively impacting diverse facets of society.

“Our focus on poverty alleviation, food security, climate change, and other critical areas reflects a dedication to addressing pressing issues and fostering sustainable solutions. We believe that by working together with corporations, non-profits, and government partners, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, influencing policies, improving lives, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future. Connect to Care is not just a consulting firm; it’s a catalyst for purpose-driven progress, and I am excited about the transformative journey we are embarking upon,” said Samaranayake further.

With a keen awareness of the urgent need to combat climate change, the firm actively engages in initiatives contributing to a sustainable and environmentally conscious future. Recently, Connect to Care played a massive role in hosting the inaugural ‘International Climate Change Forum’ (ICCF) in Sri Lanka, which served as a global congregation of experts, policymakers, scientists and practitioners, bringing together to tackle the critical issues linked to climate change collectively. ICCF was organised by the Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat and supported by influential entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IFC, FAO, UNDP, and USAID.

Recently, Connect to Care facilitated a strategic meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The discussions centred on solutions to pressing global issues and the constructive role and leadership Sri Lanka can provide for the world’s tropical belt.

Connect to Care actively engages in transformative projects that underscore its commitment to creating positive change. The Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) project in Sri Lanka, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is at the forefront of developing a comprehensive strategy for digital agricultural transformation. This initiative aims to enhance inclusivity and understanding of the existing digital and physical infrastructure, ecosystem maturity, and business and policy environments.

Simultaneously, the firm plays a crucial role in fortifying the School Meal Programme in Sri Lanka, addressing nutrition and food security challenges through rice fortification. This comprehensive plan, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the World Food Programme, involves private sector engagement, regulatory compliance, and environmental considerations.

Connect to Care also plans to take national capacity development to the next level by bringing together members from South-South Cooperation to achieve shared objectives. Their comprehensive regional program aims to exchange knowledge, skills, resources and technical know-how to create sustainable solutions backed by strong policies. Additionally, the organisation plans to involve high net worth individuals, investors, private sectors, diaspora, and stakeholders in national development while aiming to create a neutral platform to facilitate collaboration with multilateral, development and donor agencies, and the government of Sri Lanka. Connect to Care also plans to empower the youth by engaging them at school and university levels to transfer ownership of these programs to the next generation.

Connect to Care is guided by a seasoned advisory board comprised of industry experts and thought leaders with extensive experience in various fields, including Prof. Sarath Amunugama (Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya), Dinesh Weerakkody (Chairman of Board of Investments Sri Lanka), Erik Solheim (Former UN Environment Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations), Roshan Mahanama (Chairperson of Roshan Mahanama Trust, Past Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and ICC Elite Panel Match Referee), Dr. Vinya S Ariyaratne (Honorary President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka), Anjali Nayyar (Executive Vice President for Global Health Strategies), Kalyani Dahanayake (Former Commissioner General of Inland Revenue) and Shamir Zavahir (Former Head of Reforms at Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka). The strength of Connect to Care’s leadership lies in the collective wisdom and strategic insight brought by its advisory board members. Their diverse backgrounds and deep knowledge shape Connect to Care’s vision and enhance its ability to navigate complex challenges.

November 20, 2023

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce announced the launch of its flagship event “WCIC Prathibhabhisheka”, for 2023, to recognize and reward the outstanding women entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka and the SAARC Region.

The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2023 invites outstanding women entrepreneurs, especially the ones who have braved the challenges in the past few years to share their story of resilience and achievements to compete for the coveted – WCIC Prathibhabhisheka – The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2023 at the award ceremony to be held in February 2024. The Awards will honour women entrepreneurs for their tenacity to scale and grow, and for their contribution and impact on the economy. Whilst the competition is primarily for Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs, we have also included an opportunity for women in the SAARC region to compete in a special category” stated Anoji De Silva, the Chairperson of the WCIC.

On behalf of the organizing committee , the Co–Chairs, Nilani Seneviratne and Gayani de Alwis, shared the following sentiments. “We will be accepting applications under the categories – Start-Up, Micro, Small, Medium and Large. Each category will have a specified revenue for the year under review – 2022/23. Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented for each category.

With a view to identify and promote regional women entrepreneurs, we will encourage applications from all the provinces in the country and select the “Best of the Region” from each province.

The women will also be considered for the coveted special awards – Young Woman Entrepreneur, Outstanding Start-Up, The Woman of Courage, The Most Outstanding Export Oriented Entrepreneur (Product and Services) and The Best of the SAARC Region. We have expanded the special awards to cover other pertinent areas with Digital Entrepreneur, Most Innovative Entrepreneur and The Social Entrepreneur for 2023.

The ceremony will culminate with the selection of “The Woman Entrepreneur of the year – 2023.”

“The entry kit can be downloaded from www.wcicsl.lk and completed and submitted to the WCIC along with all the material required to substantiate the applicant’s story. Entries close on the 20^th December 2023,” stated Co-chairs, Gayani de Alwis and Nilani Seneviratne.

The Platinum Sponsor of the WCIC Prathibhabhisheka – Women Entrepreneur Awards 2023 is AIA Insurance Lanka; the Diamond Sponsor is DFCC Aloka ( Banking Partner); Gold Sponsors include – McLarens Group and MAS Holdings; while the Bronze Sponsors are Hayleys, Causeway Paints, Imperial Teas, SLT-Mobitel ( Telecom Partner), Dankotuwa Porcelain, DIMO and NIBM ( Education Partner). Print and Social Media Partners include the Wijeya Group, Triad – Creative Partner and Ernst & Young – Knowledge Partner.

June 12, 2023

– For 2023/2024, LAN will focus on strengthening its investor network locally and globally in order to increase cross border investments that will help accelerate its startups

The Lankan Angel Network (LAN), the country’s largest network of angel investors, has elected serial investor and entrepreneur Mr. Prajeeth Balasubramaniam as the Chairperson of its board for 2023/2024.

The founder of LAN, and its inaugural chair, Mr. Balasubramaniam has taken over the stewardship of LAN from its outgoing chairperson, Ms. Chandi Dharmaratne, who congratulated him and said: “Prajeeth has been the driving force behind Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem since a few of us came together in a formalized way to fast track its development at the very beginning. It is fitting that he now takes the lead on our investment network’s next phase of growth, while also preparing the startup ecosystem to face a new set of challenges stemming from Sri Lanka’s slow, yet steady, recovery.”

“We conceptualized a network of angel investors in 2010 with the support of the Indian Angel Network (IAN) and set LAN up in 2011 with a core purpose of having an angel investing ecosystem for Sri Lanka. Our six patrons, namely Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Mr. Hanif Yusoof, Mr. Rajan Anandan, Ms. Linda Speldewinde, Mr. Arittha R. Wikramanayake and Ms. Padmaja Ruparel (from IAN), have been very supportive from LAN’s inception and continue to help out when needed, while the initial board and co-founders were very supportive in moulding LAN. In the last 11 years, several chairs and boards have worked towards the betterment of this ecosystem, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all,” commented the new Chairperson of LAN, Mr. Balasubramaniam.

Mr. Balasubramaniam will be joined in this important undertaking by the following LAN Board Members who have also been appointed for 2023/2024: Mr. Dumindra Ratnayake, Chairman – Martin & George; Mr. Nathan Sivaganathan, Co-Founder – Hatch; Mr. Jeevan Gnanam, Co-Founder – Hatch; Mr. Adil Mansoor, CEO – Promo Lanka; Ms. Anarkali Moonesinghe, former CEO – CIMB Sri Lanka; and Mr. Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman – Platinum Advisors (Singapore).

At the same time, LAN also appointed the following to its 2023/2024 Board for the Rs. 100 million Angel Fund, which will also be chaired by Mr. Balasubramaniam. The Fund’s Board comprises Ms. Anarkali Moonesinghe, Mr. Dumindra Ratnayake, Ms. Chandi Dharmaratne, Chief People Officer – Axiata Digital Labs, Mr. Mano Sekaram, Founder/CEO – 99x, Mr. Suren Pinto, Founder/CEO – Wavenet Group, and Mr. Channa Manoharan, Chief Operating Officer/Advisory Leader – PwC Sri Lanka.

A former member of the government’s National Steering Committee for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as the inaugural Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce’s Council For Startups (CFS), Mr. Balasubramaniam signalled that, going forward, LAN will continue to focus on building capacity related to investors, investor networks and investments, while also making the environment more conducive so startups can thrive. In line with this, LAN and its partners will be launching a new collective fund in June 2023. “Back in the day, being an Angel Investor was unheard of, and people hardly understood the concept. Thus, everything had to be built from scratch. Our focus was on setting up five areas, which were to create awareness, develop a large network of investors and mentors, build deal flows and capabilities, grow the level of seed- and early-stage funding that allowed startups to scale, and help them accelerate their growth. We did all this, so an ecosystem and the required stakeholders could be developed, in order that LAN didn’t have to continually keep reinventing the wheel.”

Mr. Balasubramaniam, who is the Co-founder and the Managing Partner of BOV Capital, which has offices in Singapore and Sri Lanka, added: “My unwavering passion to date has been to help Sri Lankan entrepreneurs go global. I have been privileged, over the last 25 years, to work with some amazing dedicated entrepreneurs and to see them grow. In this journey, we have never let any negativity hinder our purpose, or distract us from the goals we set for LAN. At the end of the day, investors and entrepreneurs have always remained our priority. Despite many obstacles from the inception of LAN, we have always tried to bring in the right chairpersons and boards for LAN. LAN was created for the investors, and will eventually be run by the investors themselves. Today, we have successfully achieved this. Not everyone is wired to be an entrepreneur. Thus, it is important for investors to be able to identity passionate founders. Smart entrepreneurs always look for smart money. Hence, it is imperative that we, together, build the desired investment network that can help startups scale in a sustainable manner.”

Concluding, Mr. Balasubramaniam outlined his vision for creating a new sustainable structure aligned with LAN’s goal of continuing its role as the country’s leading Angel Investment body, while also staying connected to global angels through regional and international partner networks. Without rehashing what others are good at, LAN plans to work together with each of its ecosystem partners in support of their core purpose and functions.

October 17, 2022

Three of Sri Lanka’s trailblazing Chartered Accountants walked away with the Best Entrepreneur, Best CFO, and Rising CFO awards organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) for transcending businesses to the next level and effectively contributing to both society and country.

Mr. Upali Jayasekara, Chairman/Managing Director of Mega Heaters Group was declared CA Sri Lanka’s Best Entrepreneur for the year 2022, while Mr. Daham Gunasena, General Manager – Finance at Ceylon Biscuits Limited was adjudged CA Sri Lanka’s Best CFO and Ms. Randi Kailashinie Thiranagama, Head of Finance at NSBM Green University was named Rising CFO.

The three outstanding members of CA Sri Lanka were presented with the awards following a stringent evaluation process. In addition to having the foresight to charter new territories, with their leadership and strategic capabilities, and the tenacity to push past accepted norms, they were recognised for their critical contributions to the business landscape, which helped them take the business to the next level, resulting in a positive impact on both society and country.

The awards were presented by Mr. Sanjaya Bandara, President of CA Sri Lanka, in the presence of Mr. Heshana Kuruppu, Vice President, and Ms. Dulani Fernando, Chief Executive Officer at the Monarch Imperial.

Mr. Sanjaya Bandara said that CA Sri Lanka has produced and continues to produce exceptional Chartered Accountants, who have moved away from the traditional number-crunching roles to take on leadership and strategic positions, apart from being identified as the brains behind many successful corporates.

“Our Chartered Accountants don’t limit themselves to only steering the corporate world, many of them have also gone on to set up businesses or continue their family legacy and convert small and medium businesses into successful business empires,” he said.

Mr. Upali Jayasekara was adjudged Best Entrepreneur for been instrumental in turning around his family-owned business from a dying enterprise into a market leader with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Today, the business has branched out, diversifying into manufacturing, restaurants, hotels & accommodation, real estate, and information technology. The primary criteria for judging the best entrepreneur were based on the contribution to the economy, the volume of the enterprise, recorded growth and future growth plans.

Mr. Daham Gunasena was awarded the Best CFO for his contribution both to the corporate world, as well as the profession and society. He is a senior c-suite executive with over 20 years of experience in finance and supply chain and has a proven track record of successfully delivering outstanding commercial results to leading Sri Lankan and multinational organizations.

Ms. Randi Kailashinie Thiranagama was adjudged Rising CFO for her contribution to the organisation in terms of innovation, strategy deployment, and new product development. She has been an important pillar in contributing to the success of NSBM Green University due to ensuring the smooth financing of the project apart from being a member of the top management, where she contributes to the corporate and strategic leadership of the university.

In its standing as the vanguard in developing the accounting profession, CA Sri Lanka has produced over 3,400 Chief Financial Officers to date.

May 4, 2020

It’s always inspiring to hear stories of women chasing after their dreams, finding a way to make a more flexible lifestyle work for them and stopping at nothing to create a life they adore. Vindya Kumari’s story is one such story. A wife, a mother and now a successful entrepreneur; her story is about taking a huge risk and then falling in love with her life again.

Vindya at the age of 42 left a promising job after 18 years in the Government sector because her lifestyle didn’t allow her a work-life balance. Just as she was being recommended for a promotion, she had to choose between continuing her career or staying at home to help her eldest son to focus on his upcoming Scholarship exam. As any mother would do, she chose her family’s interest over her career.

A Brave Step to Start Over

A year into Vindya’s life as a full-time housewife, she was bored and unfulfilled. Her underlying desire to get back to work was calling out to her. She discovered her passion for hosting after a being prompted by her architect who suggested her newly bought land was a prime location to build a guest house. In an industry dominated by men, Kumari is a rare and brilliant breed that overcame her fear of venturing into a field she had no clue about, set up Siyathma Guest House and at present successfully runs day-to-day operations all by herself.

‘Hospitality and tourism is such a great industry with plenty of opportunities for growth and earning,’ she explains. ‘It has a role for everyone, whether young or old.’ When Vindya began she did not have much confidence or any knowledge about how to run a guest house. But Vindya thrives on challenges, brims with determination and drive and has a huge willingness to learn. She delights in being able to meet visitors locally and internationally and growing her business every year.

Increased Opportunity through Workplace-based Training

Vindya is also one of the participants of the Skills for Inclusive Growth’s (S4IG) Workplace-Based Skills Training programme in Polonnaruwa. The S4IG is a program funded by the Australian Government’s Aid program in partnership with the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, committed to giving people, especially women, the tools to expand their capabilities and realise their true potential within the tourism industry.

The program by S4IG is designed to upgrade the skills of owners, managers, and employees to improve standards and productivity across the hospitality while being offered flexible training on the job. Since Vindya’s participation in the program, she has not only learned the basic skills to improve her service delivery, business performance and meet industry standards but has also gained the confidence to run her guest house independently.

Vindya is determined and passionate about making her business a successful one. Her family, including her sons, now lend a hand in the business and she is hopeful that they will take over her business in the future. Vindya also attributes her success to her brother who was always encouraging and her husband who supported her in her life’s biggest risk. Her parents who were doubtful are now proud of their daughter chasing her dreams at the age of 48, and people in her home town find her a role-model.

Since her participation in the program, Vindya has now expanded her guest house to include more rooms, increased her profit margin and also enjoys the flexibility of getting to spend time with her family that her previous job didn’t allow her to do. The tourism industry, she says, gave her the opportunity to realise her passion while juggling the demands of motherhood.

March 15, 2019

Helinta Spa Products Sri Lanka

“Better the balance better the world”

The most attractive thing about a woman they say is her confidence. With all the buzz about women’s day we at LBN embarked on a new initiative of recognising strong women who can inspire and build not just young women out there but also the young men. Because women are to be celebrated everyday not just one day of the year !

Today we have a talented and rising entrepreneur Piyumi Nanayakkara the founder of a unique range of cosmetics and personal care products. Her brand Heritancy Manufacturers, is known for its ethical values, is completely vegetarian, has no alcohol and no harmful additives. We had the opportunity to discuss with Piyumi about her journey as an entrepreneur.

What was your childhood dream ?

I was always creative as a child, and was very interested in making something new, creating interesting things and experimenting. I liked art and crafts, so I always knew that my future held something exciting and innovative.

How would you describe yourself ?

Well I am definitely task oriented! But most of all I would describe myself as a confident woman who believes in herself. You can achieve anything if you set your goals high and I am someone who would persistently strive to be the best I can be.

Why did you decide to start your own business ?

I had worked in the cosmetics industry and always had a fascination for aromas and herbal products. I also believe that every individual just needs their potential to be discovered or enriched through the right products that take care of them. My Bsc. In Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics offered me a great platform to do further research into what kind of products I could introduce to make people confident and comfortable by taking care of their body, beauty and wellbeing.

What are the challenges faced in your journey ?

Well I started off as a home industry on a small scale. My first products were handmade soaps which I made in different colours and shapes. I Initially got a stall at the good market and slowly built my clientele through this.

My biggest challenges were finance, stress and time. In the first few years we made little or no profit and I had to work hard, night and day. I couldn’t hire a team at the time so I single handedly did everything from making the products, packing them and even the invoicing and finance. I had to put all my effort and time towards making my brand a success. But I never gave up. I knew that hard work pays off.

Today I have a factory and a team of dedicated staff to assist me in my range of soaps, scrubs, shampoos, toners and a variety of personal care and cosmetics products. We also provide guest room amenities to over 35 villas and hotels.

How do your products make a difference ?

Our products are vegetarian and contains no animal derivatives. We believe in ethical brands and make sure they are safe on the skin and body. We have no parabens, alcohol or harmful additives.

Our concept is eco friendly products with no artificial additives, colours or fragrances.

What is the role of women in society and life ?

Women are special because they have to play multiple roles. Especially for this gender, balancing personal life and career is important. She is seen as the person to protect the family unit and influence her children, siblings or friends. So I would say she is a role model and she has to bear a lot of responsibility.

Do you think women can do great business?

Yes for sure ! women can balance and allocate time because they have always been expected to play multiple roles; a mentor, supporter, supervisor to the people around them. I believe women have a deep understanding of people and can build meaningful relationships.
This of course naturally makes them good networkers! I thing the most important strenghth they possess is the ability to face challenges and resilience to forge ahead.

Do you think more women should become entrepreneurs ?

Yes, because they can be independent and use their abilities to offer something unique to customers. This will also make them more confident and allow them to explore their full potential

Some words of wisdom for the ladies out there ?

Start small. Start with passion. Give it your all. There would be times that your challenges will make you want to give up. But keep moving forward. You will fly.

Some advise for the men ?

Support ladies, encourage, appreciate, listen and understand them. Give them opportunities based on skills, abilities and knowledge.

Visit Helinta Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/helinta.srilanka/

DIVA Felicitates Awardees of ‘DIVA Daathata Diriyak’ Entrepreneurial Skills Development Programme in Galle

Geethani Hettiarachchi honoured as the Best Woman Entrepreneur at Southern Province Entrepreneur Awards

‘Connect to Care’ by Chandita Samaranayake forges a path towards positive social impact in Sri Lanka

The WCIC Women Entrepreneur Awards 2023

Prajeeth Balasubramaniam takes the helm at LAN

Three Chartered Accountants awarded Best Entrepreneur, Best CFO and Rising CFO at CA Sri Lanka awards

Overcoming Fear And Pursuing Her Dream of Becoming an Entrepreneur

Better the balance better the world – an exclusive interview with the founder of Helinta