WIM New Generation Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), proudly presented the Youth Top40 New Generation Asia Awards 2024 on July 8th, 2023, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Under the theme ‘Striving Beyond the Status Quo,’ the event celebrated outstanding youth leadership, innovation, and talent across various fields.
Mr. Ovin Amaratunga, Chair of New Generation Asia, opened the Awards ceremony, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in driving Sri Lanka's recovery and growth. “Youth is no longer just the future; it is the most critical element in Sri Lanka’s path to becoming a strong, competent nation,” he stated.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Hon. Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister of Defence; Mr. Ruwan Wijewardena, Senior Advisor to the President; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP; H.E. Semih Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of Türkiye; H.E. Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia; Fathimath Ghina, Deputy High Commissioner of Maldives; Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office; Navya Singla, First Secretary of the Indian High Commission; Pasindu Gunaratne, Chairman of the National Youth Service Council Sri Lanka; and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana.
This year’s New Generation Awards recognized over 40 exceptional youth for their achievements in leadership, entrepreneurship, politics, technology, media, arts, social media, innovation, sports, agriculture, tourism, education, and other professions.
Dr. Sulochana Segera, the visionary Founder of the New Generation Awards, expressed her joy and humility as she reflected on the journey of the platform. From its modest beginnings with 18 award categories four years ago, the Awards have grown to honour 38 outstanding young individuals today.
The event received over 350 applications, with 100 shortlisted through a rigorous selection process by an expert panel of judges chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Ravi Dissanayake of the Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS), University of Kelaniya.
This year’s esteemed panel of judges included:
- Prof. (Dr.) Ravi Dissanayake: Chairman, Department of Marketing Management, FCMS, University of Kelaniya
- Dr. Nirmal De Silva: Board Director (Diverse Industries), Co-Founder and Associate Professor
- Ms. Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny: Group Managing Director, IAS Holdings
- Dr. Rajan Sudesh Ratna: Deputy Head and Senior Economic Affairs Officer, UNESCAP South and Southwest Asia
- Rekha Weerasooriya: Vice President HR Transformation, Dialog Axiata PLC
- Pasindu Gunaratne: Chairman, National Youth Service Council
- Dr. Mariyum Shakeela: Honorary Consul of Belgium in Maldives, CEO SIMD
- Ms. Zahara Ansary: Country Manager, CIMA Sri Lanka
New Generation Award Winners for 2024.
- A G Minuwan Bandara: Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
- Bevan Jonathan David: Entrepreneur on Professional Service
- B Y B Nayomi Amarasiri: Inclusivity Youth Leader of the Year
- Chalani Nimesha Steinwall: Youth Agriculture Award
- Dylan Ashley Hewage: Promising Star
- Hewa Munasinghalage Chamodi Prabodha: Upcoming Young Sports Personality of the Year
- Haneef Mohomed: Youth Volunteer of the Year
- Hasintha Sanduneth Hewawawasam: Mental Wellbeing Advocator of the Year
- J M Lahiru Kavinda: Innovator of the Year
- Janani Kolamunna: Youth TV Presenter of the Year-Female
- Jayanthan Amalathan: Youth Professional on Science and Technology
- Jayendri Seneviratne: Corporate Young Career Woman of the Year
- Jo Perera: Young Artist of the Year- Male Category
- Kanishta Michael: Youth Leader of the Year
- Kavindya Tennakoon: Youth Activist of the Year
- Kilshima Yaazhisai: Young Artist of the Year- Female Category
- Kavini Nimthara Induruwa: Youth Trail Blazer of the Year
- Karunarathnalage Lilan Udayanga Dayananda: Social Entrepreneur of the Year
- M R Atheequrrahman: Youth Sportsman of the Year
- Meda Gedara Prasad Sandaruwan Jayatissa: Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year
- Mushtaq Shamail: Youth Travel and Tourism Award
- Nikita Deana: Inspirational Influencer of the Year
- N M Nimesha Maduwanthi Kaushalya: State Sector Responsible Career Category
- P K Duminda Lakmal: Youth TV Presenter of the Year- Male
- Paththini Gamage Dinuwara Randil Perera: Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year
- P R Rachika Anjana Lakshan Palihawadana: Outstanding Contribution to the Community-Education
- Ramachandran Thirunirichevan: Techno Entrepreneur of the Year
- Rajaguru Senapathi Dilma Sagarika Dissanayaka: Youth Entrepreneur- Skill & Service Provider Category
- Ronath Mukadange: Creative Business Item Award
- Sajitha Withanage: Student of the Year- Male Category
- Shara Rishma Cassim: Youth Campaigner of the Year
- Thuba Siddeek: The Wellbeing Award
- Tharushi Karunarathne: Judges Award
- Treasa Adams: Student of the Year- School Category- Female
- Udugama Koralage Dona Thisangi Geethma: Youth Sportswoman of the Year
- W.M. Chirantha Jananath Thiwanka Kithulwatta: Young Academic of the Year
- Insight Catalysts: Best Team of WINSPIRATION 3.0
- H G A Pransansa Gunawardana: Best Mentor WINSPIRATION 3.0 (Female)
- K A S Malinda Perera: Best Mentor WINSPIRATION 3.0 (Male)
- Onaya Ranindhi Kulatunga: Best Mentee WINSPIRATION 3.0 (Female)
- Rashaad Izath: Best Mentee WINSPIRATION 3.0 (Male)
- H G S V Jayasuriya: New Generation Member of the Year
Provincial Award Winners
- Hewa Munasinghalage Chamodi Prabodha
- Jayanthan Amalanathan
- Kilmisha Yaazhisai
- Kanishta Michael
- Karunarathnalage Lilan Udayanga Dayananda
- Minuwara Bandala
- Palihawadana Ralalage Rachika Anjana Lakshan Palihawadana
- Paththini Gamage Dinuwara Randil Perera
- Sajitha Withanage: Overall Youth Leader of the Year
