Western province Entrepreneur Awards 2024 was held in grandeur on 11th December 2024, at Lotus Hall, BMICH for the seventh consecutive year. The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) have jointly organised this annual award scheme to categorise, reward and motivate Sri Lanka’s domestic entrepreneurs. Driven with the objective to recognise the accomplishments to encourage the business community, in the Western Province, to improve their standards of business practices, and achieve a high level of entrepreneurship focusing on the Micro, Small, Medium to Large sectors.
This prestigious event was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Hon. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development as the Guest of Honour. Ms. W.T.R. Chandima, Chairperson/Director General, National Enterprise Development Authority as a Special Guest, Mr. Dhanuka Liyanagamage, Director NEDA, Mr. Deepal Nelson, President NCCSL and many senior officials of NEDA, NCCSL, Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. Our esteemed Panel of Judges were also present at the ceremony as distinguished invitees.
Awarding criteria have been set to recognise and honor the outstanding entrepreneurs in various sectors, including Industry/Manufacturing, Agriculture/Livestock/Fisheries, and Hospitality/Tourism & Other Services. There were 12 awards distributed throughout these 12 thematic areas, acknowledging the best practices. The following awards were presented: Best Environmentally Friendly Enterprise, Best Exporter, Best Productive Enterprise, Best Innovative Enterprise, Best Value-Added Enterprise, Best Energy Efficiency Enterprise, Best Entrepreneur Providing the Most Jobs for Females, Best Woman Entrepreneur, Best Youth Entrepreneur, Best Entrepreneur – with Special Abilities, Best Enterprise – Sustainable Business Practices, Best Entrepreneur – Financial Performance.
The top awards of the evening, “Entrepreneur Awards 2024 – Western Province,” were presented as follows: 2nd Runner-up (Bronze Award) winner: British Institute of Management and Technology (Pvt) Ltd., Joint Runners-up (Silver Awards) winners: Infinity Green International (Pvt) Ltd. & Everbolt Engineering (Private) Limited. and Overall Winner (Gold Award) – The Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2024: Union Chemicals Lanka PLC. Additional notable awardees included: L.N.C. Creations, recognized as the Best Entrepreneur with Special Abilities, Wickramarachchi Brothers (Pvt) Ltd. awarded as the Best Woman Entrepreneur, Dedunu Fibre Mills recognized as the Best Environmentally Friendly Enterprise.
National Enterprise Development Authority, NEDA, was established as a Government Entity in 2006, is dedicated to promoting, supporting, encouraging, and facilitating enterprise development in Sri Lanka, with a strong emphasis on the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector.
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, founded in 1948, has been at the forefront of providing essential services and assistance to businesses across the country. The organisation plays a pivotal role in promoting domestic and foreign trade, with a special focus on the development of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
The “Western Province Entrepreneurship Awards 2024” ceremony celebrated the innovative spirit and dedication of entrepreneurs who have played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in the Western Province. The event highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and recognized outstanding achievements in various business sectors. Gold Sponsor: Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC; Bronze Sponsor: MAC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.; Print Media Partner: Lakehouse; Awards Sponsors: DSI Tyre, LOLC General Insurance PLC, Lady J; Printing Partner: Softwave and Other Sponsors: Abhi Top Toe Well-Being, British Institute of Management and Technology Campus, Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd., Illukkumbura Industrial Automation (Pvt) Ltd., Nature’s Beauty Creations Ltd., Ninehearts (Pvt) Ltd., SALOTA International Pvt Ltd., Sri Lanka Association of Non State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI), Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association and Synex International (Pvt) Ltd.
