Best Entrepreneur Awards of Southern Province – 2019

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Special Awards

The Best Entrepreneur Award Ceremony of the Southern Province was held on Tuesday 17 December at the Sanaya Mansion Hotel in Matara. The event was organised by the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) in collaboration with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) and supported by the Chambers of Commerce in Galle and Matara, the Southern Province Ministry and Southern Province Development Authority.

Chief Guest Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development, Industry and Supply Management Minister Wimal Weerawansa

Universty of Ruhuna Faculty of Finance and Management Dean Dr. Thusitha Gunawardana

The awards were designed to encourage the business community in the province to improve their standards of business practices and achieve higher levels of entrepreneurship. NEDA selected HDCC to manage the evaluation process and organise the ceremony.

The Minister of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development, Industry and Supply Management Wimal Weerawansa served as Chief Guest. Other Special Guests included Parliament Member Niroshan Premarathna, Central Bank Southern Province Regional Office Manager Migara Handunge, University of Ruhuna Faculty of Finance and Management Dean Dr. Thusitha Gunawardana, District Secretaries of Hambantota, Matara and Galle, Southern Province Development Authority Chairman Charith Lasantha, Southern Province Industrial Development Authority Chairman Nilanga Hendawitharana, National Enterprise Development Authority Officers and Presidents of the Galle, Matara and Hambantota District Chambers of Commerce. Representatives from the Government, NGOs and private companies also participated in the event. NEDA provided partial funding for the event, which is also sponsored by the Southern Province Ministry, Southern Province Development Authority, ACBT Campus and RDB Bank.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges who evaluated entrepreneurs’ submissions, conducted interviews and field visits. The competition presented awards for three sector categories under four size categories, as well as eight special awards.

The following were presented at the ceremony:

Southern Province Enterprise Excellence Award

Andaradeniya Estate Ltd. Neluwe Chairman/ Managing Director W. Jinadasa

Large scale

Industry/Manufacturing Sector: Andaradeniya Estate Ltd. Neluwe Chairman/ Managing Director W. Jinadasa

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Heladiwa Group, Akuressa, Managing Director Hemantha K. Vidanagamage

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Evergreen Plantation Ltd. Thalgaswela Chairman H.T Aruna de Silva

Medium scale

Industry/Manufacturing Sector: Nafha Bags Ltd., Gintota, Managing Director A.W.M Ahsan

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Maweli Group of Companies, Imaduwe, Managing Director A.G Maheen Priyanta

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Angel Aquarium Ltd., Lunugamwehera, Director Achala Fernando

Small scale

Industry/Manufacturing Sector: Nature Healing Ayur Ltd., Habaraduwe, Managing Director Supuli Sililari W. Karunarathne

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Pasan Motors, Ahangama, Proprietor K.D Pasan Priyadarshana

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Minpura Aqua and Fish Farm, Kamburupitiya, Proprietor Sudesh Dillimuni

Micro scale

Industry and Manufacturing Sector: Thilini Batik, Matara, Proprietor D. Kalyani Piyasinghe

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Chinthaka Motors, Poddala, Proprietor N.H.K. Upul Chinthaka

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Amarasinghe Plant Nursery, Karandeniya, Proprietor T.M Gayani Geethika

Special Awards

Best Environmentally Friendly Enterprise: Susunidu Baby Care, Kamburupitiya, Proprietor Anusha Warnakula

Best Exporter: SLA Spice Ltd., Ahangama, Managing Director W.U.W De Zoysa

Best Productive Enterprise: Evergreen Plantation Ltd., Thalgaswela, Chairman H.T Aruna De Silva

Best Innovative Enterprise: Sahan D Max Lanka Ltd., Akuressa, Managing Director Sahan Kumara Withanage

Best Value Added Enterprise: Uruwala Tea Factory Ltd., Akuressa, Director Devapriya Wanigasekara

Best Energy Efficiency Enterprise: Andaradeniya Estate Ltd., Neluwe, Chairman/Managing Director W. Jinadasa

Best Women Entrepreneur: Hiru Fashion, Dikwella, Proprietor K.W.K Rajika Priyangani

Best Youth Entrepreneur: Sameera Apparels Ltd. Managing Director K.G Chinthaka Udaya Kumara

Micro Scale District Winners – Hambantota

Industry and manufacturing Sector: Kawshalya ornaments Products, Kirinda, Tissamaharama, Proprietor W.A Chaminda Kumara

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Yasaskaram Nideeshvaram Orchid Plantation, Pannegamuwe, Weerawila, Proprietor J.H Chandrika Shanthi

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Sewwandi Plant Nursery, Sooriyawewa, Proprietor W.G Dammika Damayanthi

Micro Scale District Winners – Matara

Industry and Manufacturing Sector: Southern Fruit Product, Nadugala, Matara, Proprietor Nirosha Nilanthi Kodithuwakku

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Leo Beauty Centre, Thelijjawila, Proprietor A.H Rasangi Wathsala

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Kumari Plant Nursery, Weligama, Proprietor S.G Deepika Kumari Kulathunga

Micro Scale District Winners – Galle

Industry and Manufacturing Sector: Rish Lanka, Galle, Proprietor N.V Rishan Dulanjana

Hospitality/Tourism/Services Sector: Akarshana Studio and Beauty Centre, Yakkalamulla, Proprietor T.N.W.M Gayathri Nanayakkara

Agriculture/Fisheries/Livestock Sector: Eco Star Farm House, Bentota, Proprietor G.L.S Premathilake

Merit Certificate

Small Scale – Industry: Sewitha Products, Hapugala, Galle, Proprietor D.L Susantha

Medium Scale – Industry: W.T.K Fibre Mills, Weeraketiya, Proprietor W.T Dhammika Sujith Kumara

Medium Scale – Industry: Sunil Furniture, Karagoda, Uyangoda, Proprietor E.G. Sunil