Unilever Archives

April 27, 2024

Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 26, 2024: The Four A’s Advertising Festival, powered by Unilever Sri Lanka and globally connected by SriLankan Airlines, is gearing up to be a transformative event for the advertising and creative industry this May.

With Unilever Sri Lanka as its driving force and the global mileage facilitated by SriLankan Airlines, the festival promises to be a remarkable milestone for Sri Lanka, making this event highly anticipated and significant for the local advertising and creative community, as it has been a while since an international-scale learning festival of this magnitude was held in the country.

The Four A’s Advertising Festival happening at Taj Samudra Colombo on May 30 to 31, along with its accompanying awards, adds to the anticipation and importance of this event, given that the recognition of creative excellence within the Sri Lankan advertising community has come about after some time.

The two-day learning festival is designed to serve as a source of new ideas, innovation, and inspiration. Through engaging learning sessions, workshops & panel discussions, participants will have the opportunity to interact with top-tier professionals spanning the entire spectrum of creativity. This exposure to diverse perspectives and expertise is bound to ignite new ideas and approaches within the local industry.

The speakers for The Four A’s Advertising Festival include Ajay Vikram – Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Groupe South-East Asia, Asheen Naidu – Executive Creative Director at TBWA Singapore, Assam Khalid – Independent Creative and Strategy Consultant at Vexology Advertising Dubai, Guan Hin Tay – Creative Chairman at BBDO Singapore, Mahesh Ambaliya – Senior Creative Director at VMLY&R Mumbai, Mandie Van Der Merwe – Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, Michaela Futcher – Managing Director / Head of Strategy at Media Arts Lab APAC, Singapore, Psembi Kinstan – Group Executive Creative Director at DDB Group Melbourne, Surjo Dutt – Chief Creative Officer at Dentsu Creative India, West and South Regions, and Zehra Zaidi, Group Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy, Pakistan.

These top-tier creative talents bring their experience and expertise to the festival, which would inspire and elevate the standards of advertising creativity in Sri Lanka.

“This is a big moment for Sri Lanka. The objective of this festival is to raise the bar for creative learning and recognition while establishing the country as a hub for creative excellence in the Asia-Pacific region,” Alann Lopez, the President of The Four A’s, said.

Central to the festival’s mission are The Four A’s Awards, which underscore the commitment to recognising creative excellence within the Sri Lankan advertising community after many years. With a focus on recognising excellence in creativity, The Four A’s Awards aim to inspire and motivate practitioners, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative innovation.

“With the advertising industry experiencing rapid changes globally with Gen AI and facing serious economic challenges locally, giving local staff international-quality training opportunities is almost impossible. The Four A’s Advertising Festival seeks to help solve this problem by bringing world-class training to Sri Lankan advertising and marketing professionals,” Dilshara Jayamanna, the Board Director of The Four A’s and Co-Festival Director, said.

The impact of this event extends far beyond its immediate scope, with lasting benefits expected to resonate throughout the Sri Lankan advertising landscape. Through enhanced learning opportunities, networking avenues, and prestigious accolades, The Four A’s Advertising Festival is poised to propel the industry towards greater heights of recognition and success on both national and international stages.

“Sri Lanka is ready to step in to the spotlight. So, this festival isn’t just about creativity; we want to set new standards for learning while recognizing work that celebrates our cultural nuances. This would be a platform to inspire work that shines brightly on the global stage” Selonica Perumal, the Vice President of The Four A’s and Co-Festival Director, added.

April 11, 2024

As part of its broader sustainability agenda, Unilever Sri Lanka remains committed to collecting +100% of the equivalent plastic it sells into the domestic market. A key enabler of this will be a public-private partnership between Unilever the CEA and the MEPA to clean and step up the health of the Kelani River which provides drinking water to 4 million Sri Lankans. This was formalized through a MoU signed recently.

Ali Tariq, Chairman and CEO at Unilever Sri Lanka said, “In our efforts to create a circular economy for plastics, we are proud to confirm that over the last 2 years we have collected +100% of the equivalent plastic volume that we have sold through our products. The Kelani River clean-up partnership will enable our commitment to continue to do so and support the national agenda of ‘Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic manufacturers’. A clean Kelani River will not only provide safe drinking water but also foster a thriving environment for fishing and tourism, creating opportunities and improve living standards.”

Venura Fernando, Chairman of Central Environmental Authority further stated, “We find it promising to witness corporates such as Unilever stepping in to fulfill their ‘Extended Producer Responsibilities’ through enduring commitments and partnerships. The collaboration with Unilever Sri Lanka on the Kelani River cleanup project exemplifies this effort. Public-Private Partnerships will play a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges, and we are optimistic that this initiative will effectively harness the combined expertise of both sectors for a sustainable future,”

This five-year project will encompass multiple activities, including cleaning programs along the river, the adjoining beaches and the seabed. These will be implemented in collaboration with local councils, and through community engagement and training to raise awareness amongst schoolchildren, residents and local authority workers, and the installation of floating barriers to prevent further pollution. The initiatives will focus on the mouth of the river to prioritise the health of the coastal ecosystems and marine life.

“MEPA is fully supportive of this project and recognizes the importance of protecting our precious marine environment said Asela Rekawa, Chairman of Marine Environment Protection Authority. “The Kelani River feeds directly into the ocean, and effective waste management practices are crucial to safeguard our marine resources.”

The project adds to Unilever Sri Lanka’s broader sustainability agenda. The latter extends to also addressing climate change, protecting nature, promoting responsible plastic use, and recognising the vital role healthy ecosystems play in supporting livelihoods.

March 14, 2024

Unilever Sri Lanka and the Industrial Development Board (IDB) signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to uplift SMEs in Sri Lanka. This is a public private partnership between Unilever and the IDB to jointly support the growth and development of 20 Micro Small & Medium Scale entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka every year through the Industrial Development Fund (IDF). The IDF, under the supervision of the Industrial Development Board, and conforming to guidelines of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka provides financial capital in the form of low interest, repayable loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enabling them to commence or expand local manufacturing in sectors prioritized by the Ministry of Industries to fuel an export-oriented economy. The first batch of loans were handed over to 10 female micro entrepreneurs at the occasion of the International Women’s Day on the 12th of March 2024.

Under this initiative, Unilever will contribute to the IDF, a portion of the revenue generated from its own and ongoing SME upliftment programme, “Saubhagya”, which, over the last 20 years has empowered over 15,000 rural females to start their own door to door selling operations with the provision of an initial stock of Unilever products.

Ali Tariq, Chairman & CEO of Unilever Sri Lanka, said, “Supporting the growth of small businesses, especially those managed by women, encourages the contribution and participation of all in the growth and success of Sri Lanka. We are grateful to the Ministry of Industries and the Industrial Development Board for inviting us to support their programme that will impact more than 60 small businesses and their families over the next 3 years”.

Dr. Saranga Alahepperuma, Chairman of the Industrial Development Board stated,” The SME sector stands as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy. IDB is steadfastly committed to providing SMEs with comprehensive support in terms of encouragement, promotion, and development. Notably, Women Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in fostering socio-economic growth. We express our deep gratitude to Unilever Sri Lanka for their contribution to empowering women entrepreneurs, thereby propelling the nation towards overall success.”

Hon. (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Industries, also stated, “We are going through a decisive moment in the history of Sri Lanka where even the smallest actions we take can decide the wellbeing of our future generations. To ensure a fairer and more equitable outcome as we journey towards economic recovery, we must take care that we don’t leave behind anyone in the economy including MSMEs. In this regard, as the government, we are thankful that Unilever has stepped forward to help the local industry.

This partnership builds upon Unilever’s existing commitment to supporting MSMEs in Sri Lanka. The company anchors one of the largest value chains in the country, supporting small and medium businesses who form its eco system of manufacturing, distribution, and marketing operations to provide daily essentials to every household in the country every day.

Launched on International Women’s Day, this initiative underscores Unilever and IDB’s shared commitment to driving inclusive and equitable development and the importance of public-private partnerships for scalable impact.

January 10, 2024

Unilever Sri Lanka today announced the appointment of Ali Tariq as its new Chairman and CEO with effect from 1^st February 2024. With this appointment, Ali will also join Unilever’s South Asia leadership team. Prior to this, Ali served as the CFO for Global Transformations at Unilever’s Headquarters in London. Ali joined the Group in 2003 and has since held global and country leadership roles across Europe, South Asia and the Far East. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and trained with PwC London.

Commenting on his new appointment at Unilever Sri Lanka, Ali said, “I am delighted and humbled with the opportunity to serve our consumers, employees, business partners and communities in Sri Lanka and to contribute to the country’s growth. My predecessor, Hajar Alafifi, leaves behind a strong business, and I along with the country leadership remain committed to leveraging our strong portfolio of purpose-led brands to win with a winning Sri Lanka”.

Ali takes over from the outgoing Chairperson and Managing Director, Hajar Alafifi, as she moves to her new assignment in Jakarta as General Manager for Unilever’s Nutrition Business in South East Asia and Indonesia. Hajar steered the company through a highly challenging business environment over the last four years. “With my 23 plus years of working in different markets across the world, Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most resilient, and I hold a positive outlook for the economy and investors. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sri Lanka for hosting me during my tenure. The warmth, positivity, and hospitality extended to me have been truly exceptional, and I will forever cherish the incredible humanness displayed by the people of Sri Lanka. The enriching experiences and meaningful connections forged during my time here have left an indelible mark on both my professional and personal journey.,” she said.

Unilever has operated in Sri Lanka for the last 85 years and is one of the leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in the country. As a responsible corporate citizen, the business continues to play a key role in contributing to Sri Lanka’s sustainable future. Unilever Sri Lanka’s portfolio of 30 brands, such as Knorr, Sunlight, Signal, TRESemmé and Lifebuoy, are household favourites. They support local communities and enhance the lives of 22 million Sri Lankans every day.

October 16, 2023

Unilever Sri Lanka is on a transformative journey to upskill 100,000 Sri Lankan youth by 2025, inspiring the launch of its ‘Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ campaign from September 2023. The initiative will reach universities across Sri Lanka over the course of the next 60 days, with a focus on equipping undergraduates with employability skills that will prepare them to thrive in the future world of work. The inaugural stop in Unilever’s journey around Sri Lanka took place at the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), the undergraduates were given an unique opportunity to engage in a Leadership #KathaBaha led by Gayan Rupasinghe, Home Care Head and a member of the Management Committee of Unilever Sri Lanka. Gayan shared his insightful career journey, imparting invaluable insights and lessons to the aspiring students. Furthermore, the event featured an enlightening session on ‘Discovering your purpose,’ expertly conducted by Anjalie Jayatunge, the Learning and HR Strategy Lead at Unilever Sri Lanka. Anjalie’s guidance was instrumental in helping students to discover their purpose. With this session the, students were better prepared to connect their goals with a stronger sense of purpose.

Commenting on the initiative, The Chairperson of Unilever Sri Lanka, Hajar Alafifi said, “We are incredibly proud to launch the ‘Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ initiative with the aim of upskilling 100,000 Sri Lanka youth by 2025. Over the course of the next 60 days, a journey of inspiration will unfold, focusing on equipping undergraduate students with future fit skills to empower them to excel in the continuously evolving landscape of the workplace of the future. This initiative envisions building future leaders. We are delighted to note the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our very first ’Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ campus engagement at APIIT. I would like to thank the APIIT team for their cooperation and partnership with Unilever Sri Lanka to build a better future for the nation’s youth.”

Dr. Hasuli Perera, Head – Business School and Foundation Programmes, APIIT added, “The ’Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ campus engagement initiative with APIIT provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to not only gain career insights but also embark on a journey of self-discovery. Unilever’s career clinic provided a personalized platform for our students to engage in meaningful discussions about internship and employment opportunities and to chart their career paths. The event was a resounding success, and we express our deep appreciation to Unilever Sri Lanka for affording us this opportunity to inspire, educate and empower our students.”

During each university engagement, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to network closely with Unilever Sri Lanka’s business leaders whilst also equipping themselves with future-fit skills. Additionally, they will also have the opportunity to engage in individual career clinics, enabling one-on-one discussions that will provide guidance on how to successfully enter the corporate world and shape their career adventures. Unilever Sri Lanka’s ‘Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ campaign is not merely a journey, it’s a commitment to nurturing the potential of Sri Lanka’s youth, igniting their passion, and providing them with the tools for success in the future world of work.

October 2, 2023

Lever Ayush, a flagship brand of Unilever Sri Lanka, proudly partnered Department of Ayurveda’s AyurEx Colombo 2023 as the Title Sponsor for the International Conference focused on the promotion and advancement of traditional medicine, held on 8th, 9th, and 10th September 2023 at the BMICH. Furthermore, Lever Ayush partnered with Department of Ayurveda as the Main Sponsor for the Exhibition and Trade Fair held in parallel to the conference, showcasing the latest advancements, products, and services of over 120 exhibitors. The strategic partnership between Lever Ayush and AyurEx Colombo 2023 not only demonstrates the company’s dedication to uplifting traditional medicine whilst using traditional medical knowledge innovatively, into modern health & beauty concepts.

Shamara Silva, Marketing Director – Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care of Unilever Sri Lanka, said: “At Unilever Sri Lanka, we hold Ayurvedic medicine in high regard and recognize its invaluable importance. We firmly believe that national events such as AyurEx have the potential to rejuvenate and nurture this rich tradition. Through our brand, Lever Ayush, we are committed to democratizing the wisdom and science of Ayurveda, making it accessible to consumers from all walks of life. It is with this vision in mind that we proudly partnered with AyurEx Colombo 2023 as the Main Sponsor. Our role as the Main Sponsor signifies our dedication to the preservation and advancement of Sri Lanka’s profound legacy in Ayurveda. We see this as an opportunity to ignite a renewed interest in this ancient system of medicine, which has garnered global recognition for its holistic practices. Together, we take pride in contributing to the safeguarding of Ayurvedic wisdom for future generations through AyurEx 2023 while promoting its accessibility and relevance in today’s world through our brand.”

Dr Dammika Abeygunawardana, Commissioner – Department of Ayurveda commented, “AyurEx 2023 was a resounding success and we thank Lever Ayush for coming onboard as Main Sponsor. Ayurveda and indigenous medicine has a deep and rich history in Sri Lanka and AyurEx 2023 provided the ideal platform for stakeholders to come together under one roof. We are grateful to the brand Lever Ayush for partnering us in our mission to highlight the value of traditional Ayurvedic practices.”

AyurEx Colombo 2023 provided a valuable opportunity and forum for international stakeholders, professionals, and practitioners to come together and investigate the enormous potential of traditional medicine. The well-attended event featured over 100 local and international Ayurveda trade stalls, over 1000 Ayurveda consultations and demonstrations, over 50 new traditional medicine products being launched and over 25 seminars and workshops.

Introduced to Sri Lankan consumers in 2018, Lever Ayush offers an exclusive range of Ayurveda-registered products inspired by 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom to preserve the hygiene and beauty of consumers. The brand’s consumer demand has doubled since its launch due to their appeal to modern day consumers. The products are manufactured at Unilever Sri Lanka’s factory in Horana under the guidance of an Ayurvedic Doctor.

Unilever Sri Lanka has been deeply rooted in the country for 85 years, creating a landscape that preserves and nurtures the true Sri Lankan way of life. The company is one of Sri Lanka’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies and produces 96% of its products locally.

September 19, 2023

Unilever Sri Lanka’s official e-commerce platform, uStore.lk recently entered into a partnership with Uber Eats and Celeste Daily in an effort to make grocery shopping more convenient, intuitive and reliable for its customers. The partnership paves the way for effortless access to uStore.lk, now conveniently available on Uber Eats.

Customers can visit the uStore.lk shop on Uber Eats to place orders and anticipate delivery in a 30-minute window within a 6.5km radius of the Celeste Daily store at Colombo 6. With unmatched convenience and effectiveness, this rapid delivery service brings the finest of uStore.lk’s extensive selection of high-quality products directly to the customers’ doorstep.

uStore.lk is committed to fostering innovation in E-commerce with a customer-centric perspective as part of Unilever Sri Lanka’s commitment to improving the country’s digitization levels. Since the platform was launched in 2019, it has undergone constant improvement, to make online shopping more convenient for consumers. This latest initiative marks uStore.lk’s entry into the quick commerce market, a significant milestone in its journey.

Speaking about this strategic partnership, Bathiya Dayaratne, Customer Development Director, Unilever Sri Lanka said “We are thrilled to be teaming up with reliable partners in the quick commerce space such as Uber Eats and Celeste Daily as it supports our goal of growing uStore.lk’s access to customers and expanding our delivery in the country. As more consumers depend on grocery delivery to their doorstep in their busy lives, we are committed to support this trend by further investing in enhancing ustore.lk features and strengthening our “Pureplay” presence to ease of shopping and convenience. We are looking forward to seeing this partnership grow from strength to strength.”

Celeste Daily, which is a member of the Jaysons Group of Companies, is the pioneer in the on-demand grocery retail market on Uber Eats serving over 50,000 customers through the platform within the past three years. Celeste Daily provides essential operational support to the table as the fulfilment partner for uStore.lk on Uber Eats, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for all orders placed.

Celeste Daily proudly stands as a beacon of experience and consumer trust, fostered over the years through its consistent delivery of products in record time. Through this strategic partnership with Celeste Daily, customers shopping for uStore.lk products are guaranteed delivery within 30 minutes within the outlet’s radius, a testament to the expertise and commitment of the Celeste Daily Team. With shared enthusiasm, both Celeste Daily and Unilever are resolute in their mission to revolutionize the quick commerce sector, fortified by their steadfast dedication to nurturing this partnership and emerging as an unstoppable force.

Janik Jayasuriya, Managing Director of Jayson Retail Pvt Ltd and Founder of Celeste Daily, further added, “We are happy to partner with Unilever Sri Lanka and Uber Eats to ensure swift delivery of products and customer satisfaction at the optimum level. As punctuality and accuracy are at the core of Celeste Daily’s business practices, we have invested in a comprehensive platform for seamless inventory and distribution management that we are confident will greatly benefit uStore.lk’s efforts.”

Varun Wijewardane, General Manager of Uber Eats, Sri Lanka commented “Uber Eats has delivered a step change in convenience for consumers, and this partnership further builds our position as the preferred partner for retailers in Sri Lanka. We are continuously investing in strategic opportunities with our partners, leveraging our technology and enhanced support systems. We are excited to collaborate with Unilever on this concept, offering consumers the ability to purchase Unilever products on demand in partnership with Celeste Daily.”

Online buying has radically and fundamentally changed how customers connect with businesses as a global trend. Uber Eats has established a standard for on-demand food and grocery delivery services as a leader in this digital revolution around the globe. As such, the e-commerce industry has changed the landscape of consumer convenience, allowing customers to easily access a wide range of goods and services. This transition mirrors the preferences of Sri Lankan consumers, with a noticeable increase in online purchases coinciding with the advancement of digital infrastructure and a population that is well-versed in technology.

August 11, 2023

Sustaining its industry leadership position for the 18^thyear in a row, Unilever Sri Lanka has been recognized as the Most Respected FMCG company in LMD’s Most Respected Entities 2023 ranking along with being named the Sector Winner in both the ‘Consumer Products’ and ‘Multinational’ categories. Unilever Sri Lanka scored high in LMD’s Top 12 performance measures indicators on which the rankings are based: Financial Performance, Quality Consciousness, Management Profile, Honesty, Innovation, Dynamism, Corporate Culture, CSR & Sustainability, Vision, National Perspective, HR & People Management and Crisis Management. These values are deeply embedded in the ethos of the company.

Chairperson and Managing Director of Unilever Sri Lanka, Hajar Alafifi said, “We consider it a matter of great pride and honour to be recognized as Sri Lanka’s Most Respected FMCG company. To us and to all our stakeholders, this recognition reflects the positive and sustained impact we are making amongst local communities and the trust placed in our brands and our company. Led by our vision to make sustainable living commonplace, our purposeful brands are built around improving the health of the planet, people’s health and wellbeing, and contributing to a fairer, more socially inclusive world. We are honored to have been featured on LMD’s prestigious list for the past 18 years, as we focused on staying close to the hearts of consumers despite challenging economic conditions. Over the past 85 years we have continuously invested in our brands and our people, stimulating economic growth. We will continue to invest in bringing prosperity to the people of Sri Lanka. We appreciate LMD’s efforts to shine the spotlight on corporate excellence and integrity.”

Unilever has been deeply rooted in Sri Lankan society, curating a landscape that preserves and nurtures the true Sri Lankan way of life. It is one of the largest FMCG companies in the country and produces 96% of its products to the strictest manufacturing standards at its manufacturing facility in Horana and local third-party manufacturing sites. The company’s portfolio comprises 30 market leading brands through which it enhances the lives of 21 million Sri Lankans every day.

In addition, 15 of the company’s brands were listed in the Most Loved Annual Brand Rankings by Brand Finance. With the flagship brand Sunlight emerging as the Overall Joint Winner, top spots were also secured by Horlicks, Lifebuoy, Knorr, Surf, Comfort, Marmite, Pears, Signal, Lux, Vaseline, Glow & Lovely, Sunsilk, Clear, and Vim making Unilever Sri Lanka the company with the most number of brands to make the list.

July 21, 2023

Unilever Sri Lanka’s flagship Ayurveda brand, Lever Ayush joined hands with the Department of Ayurveda as a main partner for the recently held “Wedaduru Abhiman, Presidential Ayurveda Award Ceremony” which was organised for the first time in history by the Department of Ayurveda under the Ministry of Health. Wedaduru Abhiman is a program that recognizes the outstanding contributions of Ayurvedic medicine practitioners and aims to promote Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka.

Held at the BMICH, this national event was graced by the Chief Guest of the evening, Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of the House, Hon Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Health Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Hon. Rohana Dissanayake and the Commissioner of Ayurveda, Dr. Dhammika Abeygunawardane. The winners were awarded with certificates and a prestigious title for each winner while Lever Ayush went on to reward the top three winners of Traditional and Degree holder categories.

The Department of Ayurveda plays a key role in promoting indigenous medicine and preserving age-old traditional systems of medicine for future generations. It acts as a catalyst in providing healthcare, especially to rural areas of the country that integrates Ayurvedic and traditional indigenous medicine.

Commenting on the awards ceremony, Dr. M.D.J Abeygunawardana, Commissioner of Ayurveda said, “We are truly delighted to show our appreciation for the dedicated practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine who not only look after the wellbeing of patients but also ensure the longevity of ayurvedic medicine practices. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Lever Ayush for partnering with us as we embark on this journey to uplift the Ayurvedic medicine industry.”

Shamara Silva, Marketing Director – Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care of Unilever Sri Lanka shared her thoughts, “We at Unilever Sri Lanka value the importance of ayurvedic medicine in the country, and national events of this calibre can support the growth of this heritage industry. Ayurvedic medicine a renowned traditional system of medicine, which is increasingly being sought-after by people around the world. As such, we are indeed proud to partner with the Department of Ayurveda to honour the legacy of Sri Lankan Ayurveda experts at the Wedaduru Abiman Presidential Ayurveda Awards Ceremony, further emphasizing on our commitment to preserving and promoting this esteemed ancient practice”.

Today, consumers are keen on prioritizing their health and wellbeing with an increasing interest towards indigenous medicine practices. A national platform like “Wedaduru Abhiman” has vast potential to empower existing ayurvedic medicine practitioners and help upcoming medicine practitioners to build their careers and receive the due recognition they deserve.

Launched in 2018, Lever Ayush offers an exclusive range of Ayurveda inspired products that preserve the hygiene and beauty of consumers. Registered with Department of Ayurveda and NMRA, Lever Ayush consumer reach has doubled since launch. The products are manufactured at Unilever Sri Lanka’s factory in Horana.

July 4, 2023

Colombo, Sri Lanka – July 2023 – the John Keells Group (JKH), the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Unilever Sri Lanka are pleased to announce the eagerly anticipated return of the ‘FastTrack’ summer internship programme. The programme, conceptualised and launched by JKH in 2011, provides Sri Lankan under

graduates with a unique opportunity to participate in an immersive four-week internship, offering invaluable industry exposure and career development.

The partnership agreement, signed in 2022, by the 3 organisations, solidified the shared vision of nurturing future leaders and fostering innovation.

FastTrack 2023 sets itself apart as a programme that provides participants with an unparalleled experience that showcases the diverse corporate sector opportunities available in Sri Lanka. This approach aims to challenge the status quo and attract innovative thinkers from within the country as well as Sri Lankan undergraduates overseas who may otherwise seek opportunities abroad.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group, highlighted the core objectives of the FastTrack internship programme. He stated, “Our aim is to provide Sri Lankan undergraduates both here and overseas, with invaluable firsthand experience of the diverse range of career opportunities within the Sri Lankan corporate sector. FastTrack has always been a programme dedicated to engaging with innovative young minds, that have the potential to be the future corporate leaders of Sri Lanka. Despite the challenges we have faced in recent times, our unwavering commitment remains strong in demonstrating that companies like ours not only cultivate respectful and inclusive workplaces but also make significant contributions to our economy, drive innovation, establish sustainable businesses, and empower our communities.”

During the comprehensive four-week programme, selected interns will receive exclusive exposure to various industry sectors, including Leisure, Property, Consumer Foods, Retail, Manufacturing, Information Technology, Analytics, Financial Services, Plantation Services, and Transportation. This firsthand experience will allow participants to gain insights into the operations of each sector through intensive immersion.

Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson and Managing Director of Unilever Sri Lanka, “Our youth are the change agents of Sri Lanka’s future. As such, we at Unilever are pleased to be a part of the ‘FastTrack’ summer internship programme to inspire Sri Lankan students, studying both locally and overseas, to contribute to their homeland through local career opportunities. We are confident the internship programme will play a pivotal role in paving the way for the next generation of diverse leaders, and we are excited to work alongside JKH and LSEG in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and global platform. At Unilever, we are strong

advocates for the importance of internships as a vital part of helping students transition into their careers. This initiative allows us to fast track the learning curve for future-ready leaders, exposing them early on to diverse work styles, environments, and industries, while providing each individual intern with an opportunity to create and maintain a sustainable career they enjoy. Internship programmes like this not only help expand our workforce and strengthen our economies, but they also contribute to creating equitable career and employment pathways.”

Throughout the course of the programme, FastTrack interns will receive guidance and mentorship from seasoned professionals, interact with prominent business personalities, and engage in practical work assignments that bridge their academic backgrounds with real-world career experiences. Additionally, directed workshops will focus on enhancing soft skills such as business etiquette, leadership, and presentation skills, while a project management experience will foster critical teamworking abilities.

Fadhil Jiffry, Chief Financial Officer, LSEG Sri Lanka, spoke about the partnership, saying, “LSEG is delighted to have the chance to provide our future leaders with an extensive, hands-on learning experience that will motivate FastTrack applicants to become leaders in their professions. We are excited to provide them with the chance to connect with industry leaders and bring something special to the projects they will be working on”.

FastTrack 2023 aims to not only to retain young talent within the country but also aims to encourage them to bring their unique strengths and talents back to Sri Lanka, thereby contributing to the nation’s progress.

Older Posts

The Four A’s Advertising Festival Set to Transform Sri Lanka’s Creative Communications Industry

Unilever Sri Lanka, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) enter into a partnership for a sustainable future

Unilever and IDB Partner to Uplift SMEs and Livelihoods

Ali Tariq takes over as the new Chairman & CEO of Unilever Sri Lanka

‘Unilever Around Sri Lanka in 60 Days’ an initiative launched to upskill and empower youth across universities in Sri Lanka

Unilever- Lever Ayush collaborates with Department of Ayurveda to foster traditional medicine as the Main Sponsor of AyurEx 2023

Expanding Horizons; Unilever’s uStore.lk enters into a partnership with Celeste Daily, and Uber Eats to improve consumer convenience

LMD’s Most Respected Entities 2023 crowns Unilever Sri Lanka as the No.1 Most Respected FMCG Company 2023

Unilever’s Lever Ayush takes centre stage as a Main Partner of the Inaugural Wedaduru Abhiman Presidential Ayurveda Awards ceremony

The John Keells Group, LSEG and Unilever Sri Lanka partner on the FastTrack internship programme, for the second consecutive year.