WCIC Felicitates Founder Members and Past Chairpersons in Honour of 40th Anniversary Milestone
Colombo, Sri Lanka—The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), Sri Lanka’s pioneering chamber for women in business, launched its 40th anniversary celebrations on 28 February 2025 with a poignant and proud felicitation ceremony honouring the Founder Members and Past Chairpersons whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for the Chamber’s remarkable journey.
Established in 1985 by a dynamic group of women leaders, WCIC has grown over the past four decades to become a key force in empowering women entrepreneurs and advancing the role of women in Sri Lanka’s economy. The felicitation ceremony began a year-long celebration to honour the organisation’s impactful legacy and its continued mission of supporting women in business.
The event celebrated the foresight of the Founder Members, many of whom are no longer with us, and recognised the steadfast contributions of the Past Chairpersons, whose guidance has shaped WCIC’s evolution as the world’s first women-only trade chamber.
Ms. Gayani De Alwis, Chairperson of WCIC noted in her speech, “This occasion is a heartfelt tribute to the pioneering women who dared to dream and built the foundation on which WCIC stands today. Their courage, commitment, and foresight paved the way for generations of women entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
The Chamber acknowledged the leadership and dedication of the following Founder Members:
Late. Ms. Chloe de Soysa
Late. Ms. Beulah Moonasinghe
Late. Ms. Karuna de Silva
Late. Ms. Lakshmi de S Wijeyaratne
Late. Ms. Carmel Goonathilleke
Late. Ms. Maya Senanayake
Late. Ms. Priyani Tennekoon
Late. Ms. Nirmala de Mel
Ms. Ranjani Manuelpillai
Ms. Lakshmi Godamunne Perera
And honoured the Past Chairpersons, whose years of service steered the Chamber through critical periods of growth and development:
1985 – 1987 Late. Ms. Chloe De Soysa
1987 – 1989 Late. Ms. Beulah Moonasinghe
1989 – 1991 Late. Ms. Nirmala de Mel
1991 – 1992 Late. Ms. Maya Senanayake
1992 – 1993 Ms. Ranee Ratnayake
1993 – 1994 Ms. Manel Thirimavithane
1994 – 1995 Ms. Suriyakanthi Mellawa
1995 – 1996 Ms. Janaki Gunawardena
1996 – 1998 Ms. Sita Yahampath
1998 – 2001 Ms. Yvette De Silva
2001 – 2002 Ms. Daya Jayaratne
2002 – 2005 Ms. Indira Kulatilake
2005 – 2006 Ms. Rezani Aziz
2006 – 2009 Ms. Ramya Weerakoon
2009 – 2012 Ms. Vidyani Hettigoda
2012 – 2014 Ms. Saroshi Dubash
2014 – 2017 Ms. Rifa Musthapha
2017 – 2020 Ms. Chathuri Ranasinghe
2020 – 2021 Ms. Indrani Fernando
2021 – 2024 Ms. Anoji de Silva
Over 40 years, WCIC has emerged as a national platform for women in business, providing critical support through capacity building, networking, policy advocacy, mentorship and recognition of entrepreneurial excellence—particularly through initiatives like the Women Entrepreneur Awards.
As WCIC enters its next chapter, it continues to be driven by the same founding spirit—to elevate women entrepreneurs into the mainstream of economic activity and national development.
