Women entrepreneurs from across Sri Lanka are set to receive further recognition through the WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2026, with DFCC Bank continuing its support as the event’s Diamond Sponsor and Official Banking Partner for the fifth consecutive year through DFCC Aloka.
The long-standing partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs by enhancing their visibility, strengthening their access to financial knowledge and connecting them with networks and opportunities that can support sustainable business growth.
Commenting on the partnership, DFCC Bank Director and Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera said that meaningful support for women entrepreneurs must extend beyond recognition at an awards ceremony.
“Women entrepreneurs do not need support for one evening. Businesses take time to establish, survive and grow, and the institutions supporting them must be prepared to stay the course. They are employers, exporters, innovators and taxpayers. Helping more of their businesses succeed is not simply a question of inclusion. It is an economic opportunity for Sri Lanka. Our responsibility as a banking partner is to understand what each entrepreneur wants to build next and help her prepare for that stage,” he said.
The WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards recognise women entrepreneurs operating at different stages of business development across Sri Lanka. The awards celebrate women who are building their first ventures as well as those managing established and growing enterprises.
Beyond recognising their achievements, the awards provide entrepreneurs with greater exposure and credibility, while creating opportunities to connect with potential customers, business partners and fellow entrepreneurs.
Through DFCC Aloka, DFCC Bank provides women entrepreneurs with a range of banking solutions, financial knowledge, advisory support and opportunities to build valuable connections. The initiative is focused on helping women establish and manage their businesses effectively while equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to progress to their next stage of growth.
SLIM Recognises Newly Certified Marketing Professionals at Annual Ceremony
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) recognised its latest group of certified marketing professionals at a certification ceremony held on August 2 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
The ceremony celebrated students who successfully completed professional marketing qualifications across several programmes, including Professional Certificate in Marketing (PCM) in English, Sinhala and Tamil, Certificate in Digital Marketing (CDM), Pharmaceutical Marketing and Business Professional in English (BPE).
Murtaza Esufally, Deputy Chairman of Hemas Holdings PLC, and Asanka Wimalaratna, Director and CEO of Brandix Group, attended the event as Chief Guests. Past SLIM Presidents Chinthaka Perera and Gayan Perera were also present as Guests of Honour.
SLIM President Enoch Perera highlighted the institute’s commitment to expanding its global standing and creating new opportunities for marketing professionals.
“Our vision is ‘From Local Strength to Global Influence.’ We are committed to positioning SLIM as an internationally recognised marketing institute and creating greater opportunities for every learner,” he said.
Addressing the newly certified professionals, Esufally encouraged them to approach marketing beyond traditional practices and focus on understanding people and creating meaningful solutions.
“Great marketers do more than sell products or promote brands. They understand people, solve real problems and inspire change. In a world shaped by AI, continue to learn and adapt, but never lose sight of integrity,” he stated.
DFCC Aloka Joins WCIC to Support Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2026
