By Piyumi Fonseka
The sixth Professional and Career Women Awards 2016 ceremony organized by the WIM and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, was held on June 24 at the Kingsbury Hotel where 50 women were appreciated for their achievements in different fields.
Addressing the gathering, Sulochana Segera, Founder/Chairperson of Women in Management (WIM) requested all award winners not to block another woman attempting to reach success, but to inspire and encourage her.
Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga, Deputy Minister of State Enterprise Development Eran Wickramaratne, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Anoma Gamage and Minister of Women, Child Affairs Chandrani Bandara and UNP Provincial Councilor Shanthini Kongahage attended the ceremony.
Awards were presented in 14 career categories including Banking & Finance, Legal and Media & Communication, five professional categories including Best Women CEO of the Year, Five business categories including Outstanding Women Entrepreneur and three Organizational categories including Best Private Sector Organization for promoting women in workplace.
The appreciation award given for Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala who was the first Sri Lankan woman to summit the Mount Everest, was the event’s highlight.
Gold award for the Best International Woman Leadership was won by Charted Architect Nela de Zoysa, while the Gold award in the Media and Communication category went tor Features and Investigative Journalist of the Sunday Leader Nirmala Kannangara.
Best Woman CEO of the Year was won by CEO of the Ceylon Biscuits Limited International, Sheamalee Wickramasingha.