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Friday, 4 January 2013 03:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lankan (FCCISL) turned a new leaf in recognising entrepreneurial talents by introducing a new awards category, Differently Abled Entrepreneur of the Year, with its flagship event, Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.
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M.D. Premadasa from Reeheb Lanka awarded as the Differently Abled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 by Davide Carlo Lamberti, Country Representative of Persone Come Noi and Shiran Karunaratne, Director, FCCISL looks on |
The main objective of introducing this category of recognition is to motivate the differently-abled people who have emerged as successful entrepreneurs. A large number of differently-abled entrepreneurs from across the country, who own and manage enterprises successfully, vied for the award regionally as well as on national level.
Persone Come Noi (PCN), an INGO based in Italy, supported FCCISL to organise this awards.
Making a speech at the national event of Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 held at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, in December last year, Davide Carlo Lamberti, PCN Country Representative at the country desk Sri Lanka, stated: “This is the first edition of the Differently-Abled Entrepreneur of the Year and it is already a great success.
We are proud and honoured to admire all the work done by FCCISL and DAE participants. Recognising and rewarding these differently-abled entrepreneurs at both regional and national level in a very systematic manner is a milestone achieved by the PCN.”
PCN is currently engaged in 13 countries to serve local populations meet their basic needs, often fighting against the worst forms of discriminations. In Sri Lanka in particular, PCN has worked since the tsunami with public and private stakeholders. During its interventions in Sri Lanka, PCN and its partners encountered several marginalised groups and finally, in 2012, with the great commitment of the FCCISL and its members, this experience has started.
The Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a culmination of a journey which has been organised for the last 17 years. This long-running national award scheme organised by FCCISL is the first and most comprehensive award scheme that evaluates local business based on a multifaceted requirements list. The award has also been a pioneer in recognising entrepreneurs who were not in the limelight. FCCISL is becoming much stronger as an organisation and works on all important aspects related to entrepreneurship.
All the eligible applicants were evaluated in terms of the respective province for the provincial awards and provincial winners were evaluated based on the marks obtained in the provincial round for the national awards. The awards for the regional winners were given away in five regional awards ceremonies held in Puttalam, Batticaloa, Kandy, Ratnapura, and Galle. The evaluation process consisted of three stages, namely, desk review, site visits, and interviews. The final reviews were done by the panel of judges.
M.D. Premadasa from Reeheb Lanka was the national winner of this category and awarded as the Differently-Abled Entrepreneur of 2012. P.N. Jagath Shantha of Maximum Motor Care was awarded as the 1st Runner Up and J.A. Asoka Perera of Safe Hands Products was the 2nd Runner Up at national level.
The provincial winners are M.D. Premadasa of Reeheb Lanka from Western Province, Pradeep Kumara of Darshana Products from the Southern Province, Jagath Shantha of Maximum Motor Care from Central Province, S. Bandara of Prasanka Communication from Sabaragamuwa Province, Sampath Palitha Jayasingha of S.P. Constructions from North Western Province, and A. Bandula of Nelum Kole Bath Kade from North Central Province.
The Differently-Abled Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, organised by the FCCISL with the support of PCN, recognised these highly-motivated entrepreneurs who achieve their set goals by working beyond emotional and physical barriers.
