WIM and NYSC call for nominations for New Generation Awards 2021

In the journey of finding hidden talents of Sri Lankan youth and their unsung contribution to the nation, Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with Sri Lanka National Youth Services Council is organising the New Generation Awards for the second consecutive year on 17 July at the Galadari.

The New Generation Awards 2021 aims to shine a spotlight on extraordinary young leadership within the age group of 15 to 30 years, to support and recognise positive contribution to their communities, nation and the World at large considering sectors such as careers, entrepreneurship, technopreneur, sports, social service, innovation, talents, arts, creative science, social media, etc.

Nominations are open from 1 to 30 May and can be made via www.womeninmanagementawards.org.

This year’s panel of judges is chaired by National Youth Service Council Chairman Damitha Wickramasinghe and comprises a diversified team including Triad Advertising and Derana Managing Director Varuni Amunugama Fernando, Hemas Holdings Plc Group CEO Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, CIMA Sri Lanka Country Manager Zahara Ansary, University of Kelaniya Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies Department of Marketing Management Senior Lecturer Dr. Ravi Dissanayake, University of Colombo CERIPA Director and CUCEC Acting Director Prof. Dr. Suranaga De Silva and marketer, innovator and entrepreneur Yasas Hewage.

“This is the second year we are organising the NG awards, and we are happy to witness the positive changes, as well as the opportunities the last year’s award winners, received after the recognition they received from the NG Awards. We ensured that the past winners used the award to build their future and to inspire the youth. I have personally witnessed that they are proudly and positively doing that while branding their own personalities,” said WIM Founder/Chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera as the initiator of the New Generation Awards. 

The role of the National Youth Services Council was explained by Wickramasinghe: “The National Youth Services Council, as the apex body in youth development in Sri Lanka, deeply appreciates the interest and commitment displayed by Women In Management in organising the New Generation Awards for the youth of Sri Lanka. The NYSC has partnered with WIM, enthusiastically extending support to initiatives of this nature, founded by non-governmental actors in recognising youth talent and contributing towards youth empowerment with the goal of harnessing the potential of future leaders.”

Amunugama Fernando said: “With performance comes recognition, rewards and exciting new opportunities. Use the stage wisely, kindly and patriotically. The future of our country is in your hands.”

Chellaraja Wilson said: “The future is you. Want more for our country, more for our people, so be the best versions of yourselves and unleash your potential.” 

Ansary said: “Our youth are a significantly important segment of our country – they are our future. The New Generation Awards are meant to recognise trail blazers under various categories who are movers and shakers in their own environs – all for the betterment of society and our country. We’ve seen how the past winners have gone to inspire other youth and created great impact. I am delighted to be in the panel of judges to select Sri Lanka’s best!”

Dr. Dissanayake said the awards would “empower future leaders for sustainability,” and Prof. Dr. De Silva said it would lead to “creation of visionary leadership for sustainable future,” while Hewage said, “The old world is being disrupted with a loud invitation for the youth, begging you to reimagine and rebuild, so take a risk and lead.”

This year’s New Generation Awards will be chaired by Dr. Himalee De Silva, WIM ExCo member, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo. Dr. De Silva said: “As a person who works with youth I think this is a great opportunity for youth to find their future support system.”

The Vice Chair will be Onella Karunanayake, WIM member and Executive Director OSM Holdings. Karunanayake said: “I am happy to be part of this for the second consecutive year; as youth we feel that we are stuck in a blame generation for individualism but the NG Awards open a great opportunity for youth to prove that it’s just a myth.”

Since 2010 Women in Management (WIM) has worked to empower Sri Lankan career women and women entrepreneurs by connecting and bonding them by providing leadership and guidance in nurturing their knowledge, skills and inspiring them to achieve their goals as well as to act as conduits to the transformation of the role of women in career and business into a dynamic force.

The National Youth Services Council in Sri Lanka was established with the aim of guiding the Sri Lankan youth in the proper direction to enable them to empower themselves to the fullest potential while contributing to the nation’s prosperity. The Youth Services Council was established by the Youth Services Council Act No. 69 of 1979 giving the status of a fully-fledged youth development organisation.