WCIC Felicitates Founder Members and Past Chairpersons in Honour of 40th Anniversary Milestone

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.

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