IHB inaugurates first hair and beauty educational workshop in Jaffna

The Institute of Hairdressers and Beauticians (IHB) took the initiative in taking another step forward in terms of boosting the professional appeal of hair and beauty culture when it held its inaugural workshop in collaboration with Sunny and Shears Hair and Beauty Academy, Jaffna.

The program was well attended by a number of eager young women in the area with a thirst for learning new skills and pursuing their dreams. It served as an ideal forum for creating an avenue for skills enhancement and training to fill the void in this particular profession.  

This workshop, which was conducted on 27 January 2013, highlighted a series of cutting-edge products and services in keeping with the latest International curriculum in the hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy diploma for 2013/2014.

IHB’s initiative seeks to help promote modern trends of the industry and innovative ideas that are likely to boost levels of competitiveness within the market. It also provided an avenue to disseminate the latest methods developed within the image and integral beauty fields. Whilst also highlighting the innovative nature of the sectors that make up these industries, this workshop helped strengthen the Institute’s professional profile.

IHB’s initiative in Jaffna drove home the fact that hairdressing is a much respected profession and fast becoming a highly lucrative source of income to either an employee in a salon or an entrepreneur. In order to make this a possibility, the institute provides the services of qualified trainers to Jaffna and remote towns and is offered in English, Sinhalese or Tamil mediums. The IHB qualification also carries weight for those seeking employment overseas due to its international recognition.   

Nayana Karunaratne, Founder Chairman of SLAHAB and Member of the Board of Governors of IHB, opined that self esteem and true beauty are essential for every professional hairstylist, barber and beauty therapist, and that the youth who attended were good looking with healthy long hair who deserved such professional learning. The goal of conducting such a project was to directly help the middle and high school educated youth in the North and East.

IHB is accredited to the World Federation of Hairdressers (OMC) and functions as an independent and professional institution that conducts hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy examinations that are recognized both locally and internationally.



With the goodwill and support of City and Guilds, the UK based education institute, IHB has the backing and expertise of pioneers in the industry with a Board of Governors which includes Ramzi Rahman, Kanjana Godigamuwa, Chrissy Rozairo and Nayana Karunaratne.

In line with this, the IHB has also prepared up-to-date textbooks, curriculum and other study material in all three languages which are also constantly revised and upgraded on par with prevailing international standards. Theory exams will be held in June and December each year, while the practical exams will take place in March and September adjudged by expert professionals in the industry. Once registered, practicing hairdressers, beauticians and barbers also have the convenience of studying on their own with the use of the study material in their preferred language.