Recognizing and applauding leadership, innovation, and excellence in the corporate arena, Women in Management (WIM) New Generation Chapter in partnership with the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) held the third ‘New Generation Awards’ on the 29th of October 2022 at the Grand Ballroom, Galadari Hotel, Colombo. Attended by key icons from the corporate sector the event was a resounding success. Forty-seven young professionals, entrepreneurs, social activists, sports personalities, and young entertainers were identified and recognized at the event. Hon. Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana graced the event as Chief Guests. 

Young professionals from multiple industries including Agriculture, Tourism, Media, and IT were awarded for their accomplishments. Addressing the audience at the event, Minister Roshan Ranasinghe stated that, “public-private partnerships are of utmost importance if the country is to develop on the right track. The youth are the future of the country and the country’s workforce needs more young, intelligent minds coming on board to grow the economy. These accomplishments will lead young achievers to become responsible citizens of the nation and encourage other young people to work harder to achieve their goals.” He also added that, “young people are rejecting all politicians in Parliament and instead they want ethical leaders who will drive the country forward. I urge all of you to come forward and take leadership, come forward and represent the country.” 

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder, New Generation Awards stated, “I am ecstatic that I have been able to create a platform for young professionals in this country. A platform that recognizes and applauds their achievements. A platform to share their success stories so that it may in turn inspire thousands of others in the country. A platform that will encourage the youth to work tirelessly till they achieve their goals. Two years ago, we launched this event with just eighteen awards, and today we have recognized forty-seven young professionals in multiple fields. Many assume Women in Management as an organization only focuses on women and their accomplishments, but our goal is to create an integrated society where both women and men work side by side as equals to develop and grow our country together as one.”

This year’s event also saw the launch of a new youth-centric magazine, ‘Youth on the Move.’ This magazine aims to be a voice for the youth of Sri Lanka. Young professionals engaged in various fields of work will be given an opportunity to share their stories, their ideas and business propositions via this magazine. Addressing the audience at the event during the launch of the magazine, Tamara Perera, Vice Chairperson, New Generation Chapter stated, “we would like to remind all corporate leaders and the government, that we are indeed the future of this country. 

We are the future employees who will drive your business forward, we are the future consumers who will purchase your goods and services, we are the future voters that will shift election results in the country, and we are future entrepreneurs; we are the future of Sri Lanka. Hence, please invest your time and money to develop us and to help us grow, instead of complaining about our generation. Yes, we may do things differently to you, we may think, act, and behave differently, but that difference should be embraced and applauded. We are not a charity; we are a sound business investment! We are a responsible generation.”

The Committee received approximately 350 applications this year and a 100 were shortlisted via a rigorous selection process led by an expert panel of judges. Chaired by Professor Ravi Dissanayake, Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS), University of Kelaniya, the panel also comprised of Mrs. Sandra De Zoysa, Group Chief Customer Officer, Dialog Axiata, Chairperson, SLASSCOM,  Mr. Rashitha Delapola, Director, Technical and Vocational Training, National Youth Services Council,  Ms. Zahara Ansary, Country Manager, CIMA Sri Lanka,  Ms. Lihini Fernando, Co-Founder, Velox Legal, Attorney-at-law, Council Member, Moratuwa Municipal Council, Dr. Thilina Wanigasekera, Director - Organizational Development, Ministry of Health, Dr. Nirmal De Silva,  Strategy Consultant, Entrepreneur, Youth Empowerment Advocate and Associate Professor, Business Management.

Dr. Thiran De Silva, Chairman of the National Youth Services Council stated, “I come from a military, professional and business background. I believe that the NYSC is the best place to bring change to the country and for that we need to have more similar partnerships such as this. There are so many opportunities we can create for youth to achieve success in their chosen fields and professions, the NYSC has the capacity to do this. But we need support from the private sector if we are to propagate effective change. Hence, I invite the private sector to join hands with the government to build this country not just for us but for our youth and all future generations to come.” 
 

New Generation Award Winners 

• Young Journalist of the Year: Rihaab Mowlana, Wijeya Newspapers Limited
• Best School Prefect of the Year:  Male - Gamitha Kesarindra Dunuwille
• Best School Prefect of the Year: Female - Techshila Panchali Deerasinghe
• Inclusion Award: Brian Kingston
• Young Educator of the Year: Savini Tennakoon
• Responsible Undergraduate of the Year: Tharushalini Sivathurai
• Young Sportsman of the Year: Palitha Bandara
• Young Sportswoman of the Year: Nethmi Ahinsa
• Best School Sport Team: Imbulana Sri Sena National School
• Positive Social Media Influencer of the Year: Saasha Karunarathne
• TV / Radio Presenter of the Year: Sharlan Benedict
• YouTube Presenter of the Year: Absheka Fernando
• Young Farmer of the Year: Anthonipillai Madhushini
• Young Agro-Processor of the Year: Yabenciya Parloganathan
• Youth Home Gardener of the Year: Nadeesh Dilshan Ekanayake
• Music and Theater Personality of the Year: Sachiththa Fernando
• Dancer of the Year: Kasun Ayesh Madanpitiya and Gihan Umesh Madanpitiya
• Best Youth Travel Blogger: Namini Jayaratne
• Best Youth Tourism Promoter of the Year: Shenelle Rodrigo
• Best Youth Chef of the Year: Charitha N. Silva
• Entrepreneurship: Manufacturing - Fathima Washeema Abdul Rahman
• Online Retailer of the Year: Wickrama Herathlage Muditha Rasanjalee
• Fashion Designer of the Year: Amesh Wijesekera
• Technopreneur of the Year: Amira Ghaffoor
• Emerging Technopreneur of the Year: Miller Alexander Rajendran
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Alumna Poornima Meegammana
• Best Startup of the Year: Roshni Niranjala Dhananchayan
• Humanitarian Group of the Year Group: One Stage, 
• Humanitarian of the Year: Saleen Mohamed Rihan
• Young Corporate Career Woman of the Year: Nayomi Girdharmal
• Young Corporate Career Man of the Year: Dinuka D. Sumithrarachchi
• Young Diversity Champion: Lihini Weerasinghe
• Youth Supply Chain Career Leader of the Year: Hamza Alibhoy
• Youth IT Leader of the Year: Muhammed Farook Badhusha Beham
• Youth Architect of the Year: Hiruni Hewage
• Young Pioneer Award: Abdul Majeed Mohamed Sowfath
• Youth Focus Corporate Award of the Year: Unilever Sri Lanka Limited
• Young Activist (Female): Rashmika Balasubramaniam 
• Youth Inspiration of the Year: Shanjeevan Amalanathan
• Youth Innovator of the Year: H.M.T.D.K Hearth
• Young Fitness and Wellbeing Champion: Radeesha de Silva
• Young Environmentalist: Tharika Fernando
• Young Emerging Politician: Mohamed Sadique Ahmath
• Youth Digital Media Content Creator of the Year: Lochana Jayakody
• SDG Action Award: Sapna Madhurangi Panditha
• Changemaker of the Year: Hashtag Generation
• Positive Impact Entity: Zero Plastic National Movement

The event was sponsored by Sooriya Sun Match Group and Ceylon Biscuits Limited. Awards were sponsored by CIMA Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, New Philip Hospitals (PVT) Ltd, Asian Grammar School, Huawei Technologies Lanka, McLarens Holdings Limited and OSM Holdings. Print and Digital Media Partners: Wijeya Newspapers Limited.