Watawala Plantations recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s Best Workplaces for Women in 2024

The diverse women workforce at Watawala Plantations 

Watawala Plantations PLC (CSE: WATA) has been honoured as a Best Workplace for Women in 2024 by Great Place to Work (GPTW) Sri Lanka, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment. This prestigious recognition underscores Watawala Plantations’ dedication to gender equality, diversity, and the professional growth of women across its operations.

The Best Workplaces for Women 2024 list celebrates organisations that excel in creating spaces where women can thrive and advance their careers. Spearheaded by GPTW Sri Lanka, this initiative highlights workplaces that embrace inclusive practices and champion diversity, setting the benchmark for others to follow. With employee feedback gathered from over 80,000 individuals across 150 organisations, including 26,000 female respondents, the survey highlighted key drivers for women’s satisfaction, such as superior facilities, senior management integrity, and egalitarian treatment.

Women form a vital part of Watawala Plantations’ workforce, contributing significantly across various functions. They are instrumental in driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and fostering inclusive growth within the plantation sector. Through targeted initiatives like skills development, mentorship programs, and policies promoting work-life balance, Watawala Plantations has empowered its female employees to excel professionally while making a meaningful impact on the organisation’s success and the broader community. This commitment underscores its role as a leader in creating equitable opportunities and a thriving workplace for women.

Speaking on this achievement, Sunshine Holdings Group Chief People and Corporate Communications Officer Michelle Senanayake said, “We are deeply honoured to be recognised as one of the Best Workplaces for Women in Sri Lanka. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to creating an environment where women can thrive, excel, and lead. We believe that fostering diversity and empowering women is a moral imperative and a key driver of innovation and growth within our organisation.”

The 2024 winners spanned seven industries, demonstrating the broad impact of inclusive practices across sectors. Watawala Plantations PLC joins an elite group of companies across diverse sectors in setting new standards for gender equality in the workplace.

Great Place to Work Sri Lanka Director/CEO Kshanika Ratnayaka commented, “This year’s list reflects a remarkable shift towards more inclusive, equitable work environments in Sri Lanka. These organisations are setting new benchmarks in empowering women, ensuring their voices are heard, and creating spaces where they can thrive. Watawala Plantations’ win is particularly commendable, as it highlights their exceptional efforts in creating opportunities for women to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s success. By recognising these organisations, we hope to inspire others to follow their example, fostering cultures of trust, respect, and equal opportunity across industries.”

This recognition is a testament to Watawala Plantations PLC’s ongoing efforts to empower women at all levels, proving that inclusive workplaces drive innovation and success.

About Watawala Plantations 

A joint venture between Sunshine Holdings PLC and Pyramid Wilmar Plantations Pvt Ltd., Watawala Plantations PLC (CSE: WATA) is a diversified agribusiness company in Sri Lanka with a focus on palm oil cultivation and dairy. The company manages a total land extent of over 3,400 Ha in Palm Oil with a workforce of over 1,500 people, which makes it the largest Palm Oil plantation in Sri Lanka with an annual production of 13,500 MT of Palm Oil. As of 31 March 2023, the Company sustained a market share of approx. 54% of production in Sri Lanka. Watawala Plantations follows the highest international cultivation and sustainability standards and is the only Oil Palm plantation management company in South Asia to receive the coveted Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. The ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) certification received by our palm oil mill, meanwhile, attests to our approach to worker safety.