New Generation Awards 2023 celebrates youth who dare to differ

By Divya Thotawatte

With the purpose to recognise and foster the talent and the potential of Sri Lankan youth, the New Generation Awards 2023 ceremony was recently held under the theme ‘Daring to Differ’ celebrating the achievements of young outstanding individuals.  

The New Generation Awards was organised by the New Generation Chapter of the global brand of Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with the National Youth Service Council Sri Lanka (NYSC). This year’s awards event was held for the fourth consecutive year where 38 youth in various fields were selected and awarded for their achievements and positive impact.

Inaugurating the ceremony, New Generation Sri Lanka Chairman Kasun Sigera highlighted that the youth were not merely the future, but a necessary element for the country’s recovery and growth as a strong, competent nation. He said, “Even though there are many individuals who identify and talk about problems, there are only a few who will find solutions for those problems. This is what we aspire to be. We want to be the youth that provides solutions to the crises that Sri Lanka will go through.”

Sigera explained that Sri Lanka needed better and responsible leadership and that the New Generation Awards recognised potential leaders and individuals whose skills could contribute to the country. He urged the winners to consider moving forward without stopping with the winning of the award and to add value to the achievement by contributing to the country’s growth.

This year’s New Generation Awards celebrated winners from categories including leadership, entrepreneurship, politics, technology, media, arts, social media, innovation, sports, agriculture, tourism and education.

Speaking about the winners, WIM Chairperson and Founder Dr. Sulochana Segera said: “Today there are unique personalities and organisations from all walks of life receiving awards. You may not have heard of some, but do listen to their stories. Our youth is not just our future, they are also our present and together we should bridge generation gaps to foster empathy and create a brighter and more united Sri Lanka.”

She also explained that it was crucial to focus on the potential, energy and inspiring ideas of the youth of the country, instead of discord and division. Segera pointed out the importance of technology for the development of the youth, advising that it should not be employed as a platform for division but for connection and understanding others where problems could be solved with constructive dialogue.

National Youth Services Council Chairman Pasindu Guneratne discussed the theme of this year’s awards and its message for the youth. He said that the theme, ‘Daring to Differ’, underlined the necessity to recognize the power within oneself to challenge the norm, to step into uncharted territory, and to stand out.

“Our youth, the torchbearers of this theme, inspires us to break boundaries, to innovate and to be fearless to pursue our dreams. In a society where conformity often prevails, these young individuals have shown that embracing their uniqueness and taking the road less travelled can lead to remarkable achievements.”

Guneratne added that the awards event was not just about recognition, but it was about encouraging young individuals to dream big and to make a difference.

This year, 100 applications had been shortlisted from over 350 applications received by an expert panel of judges. The panel included University of Kelaniya Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies Department of Marketing Management Chairman Prof. Ravi Dissanayake, NYSC Chairman Pasindu Gunaratne, Coca-Cola SL Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director Thamari Senanayake, Shippers Academy CEO Rohan Masakorala, CIMA SL Country Manager Zahara Ansary, Inexis Consulting CEO and Founder Dr. Yashoda Velananda Wayz, and ITN Chairman Sudarshana Gunawardana.

Prof. Dissanayake spoke about the judging process for the New Generation Awards 2023. “Our judging process was based on the character and calibre of the participants, communication of their stories and their citizenship. Our future is not given by someone to us, it is self-made. Therefore, we looked at how self-made the participants were to award them on this stage. That is the holistic 360° outcome we searched for as the panel of judges.”

The event was fuelled by the platinum sponsorship of ‘Soorya’ which has been sponsoring the awards since its inception in 2020. 

The list of New Generation Award Winners for 2023.

1 Abdul Munas Mohamed Mirshad - Most promising Rising Star in Employment; 2 Akindu Athauda - Student of the Year; 3 Anagi Thanuja Gunasekera - The Well Being Award; 4 Aruna Darshana - Sportsman of the year; 6 B M Madushani Samudika Jayathilake - Most outstanding undergraduate of the Year; 7 hanaka Pathum - Innovator of the year; 8 Charitha Minipuraarachchi- TV Presenter of the Year; 9 Commercial Bank - VIBE AI CAMPAIGN Youth Campaign of the year; 10 D M Nimesha Kaushani Perera - Inclusivity Award; 11 Denathi Pussegoda - Art; Theatre (Dancing); 12 Fathima Zahra Nisfer - Special Appreciation Award; 13 Finds Diamond team - Most Outstanding WINSPIRATION Mentorship Team of the Year; 14 Gangulee Walpola - Young Positive Influencer of the Year; 15 Geilee Geenadi Skandakumar- Young Leader of the Year; 16 Gethmi Thimethma Algama - Most promising Rising Star in Employment; 17 Hirantha Basnayake - Young STEM Personality of the Year; 18 IAS Holdings (Pvt) Limited - Outstanding Contribution to the community; 19 Kamanthi Wickramasinghe - Print Media Youth Journalist of the year; 20 Kethaki Dananjana Kapuru Bandara- Young Artist of the Year; 21 M Prasangi Ravishani Fernando - Judges Special Award; 22 M.G.Tharindu Lakmal Pushpakumara - Youth Agro-Entrepreneur of the Year; 23 Mandapa Pandithage -Youth Professional of the Year; 24 MJF Foundation - Organisation Empowering Youth; 25 Nilupuli Nayanathara Jayathilaka - Positive Youtuber of the Year; 26 Nishadi Gurusinghe - Youth Entrepreneur of the Year; 27 Onaya Kulatunga - Student of the Year; 28 Rishma Rizvi - Start up of the year; 29 Sayumi Rovinya Jayawardene - Outstanding Contribution Young People Award; 30 Sharoni Nirmali Anthony - Techno Entrepreneur of the Year; 31 Shenuk Dilishke Wijesinghe - Arts & Culture (Music) Award; 32 Suddirikku Dulanjali Ariyatilaka - Courageous Youth of the Year; 33 Vimoshi Nehasha Weerasinghe - Sports Woman of the Year; 34 WP/Jaya/Dharmawijaya Vidayalaya - Educators Empowering Youth; 35 K.K.G.Ashan.S.Wijetilleke - Youth Travel & Hospitality Award; 36 Fathima Shirafa Siddeek - Best Mentee of the WINSPIRATION 23; 37 D. W. O. J. Amaratunga - Best Mentee of the WINSPIRATION 23; and 38 Dr. K. H. S Dilmika - New Generation Sri Lanka - Member of the Year.

Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe