Message fromthe ChairpersonWOMEN’S CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

Indrani Fernando

What’s Inside?I have just completed a few months of my tenure which began on the 1st October 2020. It has been a very different experience with all the limitations we have been surrounded with. However these are not going to hinder our plans and will de�nitely not stall our progress. But it might slow us just a tiny bit. The Covid Pandemic and the aftermath has affected us in no uncertain terms. Entrepreneurs big and small have had implications resultant to the situation. No one had the luxury of preparing for it since no one could have anticipated this catastrophe in their plans. Now we all need to rise above it and �gure out the best course of action.

The Chamber too like any other business had very aggressive plans for our future. We had to do strong course corrections to keep to our mission. Even during this period, all though the lock downs have not been very severe, as during the early part of the year, we have discovered ways to keep going. Most of our activity has been shifted to the digital space and we have embraced the new normal and the new ways of working that are emerging

We have a very clear structure and a plan in place now, thanks to the work that had been undertaken by my predecessor during her tenure. Personally I am elated to have the support of a extremely professional Board who are driving the activities of the Chamber , under the �ve pillars we have designed. The collaborative efforts of the teams and the outcome of what they do have taken the Chamber already to new heights. When you scan through this newsletter your will understand the extent of the efforts undertaken by the Chamber

I invite all the members to actively engage with the chamber and bene�t from the numerous activity that are being conducted. I would humbly remind you to contact the Secretariat and update any pending membership dues and update yours for the 2021.

Let’s hope we can forge ahead relentlesslywith or without Covid

Industry and CommerceWomen's Chamber of

N E W S L E T T E R

2 0 2 1V O L U M E 3 - S E P T E M B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR PERSON

AGM - 25TH OF SEPTEMBER

ESSENCE OF THE ADDRESS OF INCOMING CHAIR – INDRANI FERNANDO

GLIMPSE OF THE PAST THREE YEARS – CHATURI RANASINGHE

GLIMPSE OF THE AGM INCOMING BOARD

PILLAR PERFORMANCE

POLICY ADVOCACY

VIRTUAL MEETING TO GENERATE IDEAS FOR PROPOSALS FROM WCIC FOR THE BUDGET

CIPE PROJECT UPDATE

CAPACITY BUILDING

IFC PARTNERSHIP

PARTNERSHIP WITH ILO

BRAINSTORMING ON COMMERCIAL CARE OPPORTUNITY

MOU WITH AIESECMOU WITH SLASSCOMMOU WITH ULEAD

MEMBER DEVELOPMENT

EXPLORING EXPORT OPPORTUNITIESBOOK CLUB

COFFEE EVENING

NEW MEMBERS

35th Annual General Meeting of the WCIC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WAS HELD ON THE 25TH SEPTEMBER 2020 AT THE KINGSBURY HOTEL, COLOMBO. MRS. INDRANI FERNANDO. CHAIRPERSON / MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PHILIPS HOSPITAL PVT LTD, KALUTARA TOOK OVER THE REIGNS OF THE WCIC AS THE CHAIRPERSON FOR THE YEAR 2020/21.

The AGM was graced by Her Excellency Sarah Hulton, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest. She in her address established the importance of entrepreneurs in the progress of any economy, and committed to support the WCIC in its endeavors.

Essence of the address of the Incoming ChairM R S I N D R A N I F E R N A N D O

I am humbled and honored to be taking over the responsibility to steer the Women’s Chamber of Industry of Commerce to even greater heights, and I am committing my full energy to make this a reality.

Having been a part of this chamber for many years, I have been a witness to the contribution it has made to the society at large, supporting the entrepreneurs to achieve higher standards and professionals to reach greater achievements. We have connected and collaborated with both the public and the private sector to deliver, extraordinary results under the guidance of the immediate past Chairperson.

Quite recently we revalidated our fundamentals adjusting our Vision, Mission and Core Values to align with the needs of tomorrow. Our sharpened direction clearly highlights the need for action. With extreme clarity on our forward journey we have been able to shape out a clear structure and a plan. Even for the new term the Strategic Plans is already in place and a very capable and energetic Board has taken the responsibility to drive the activities. In actual fact, I have become the �rst, privileged WCIC Chairperson who will take over with a already created structured Strategic Plan for the year. I consider myself very lucky to be in this position and am very grateful to the team for all the efforts that have been extended to create such a robust system.

B O A R D O F M A N A G E M E N T 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Way back with the Board of 2018/19 supporting me, we embarked on validating and creating the fundamentals truths that drove the organization. We were able to sharpen our Vision, mission, and core values, which resulted in the need to create a relevant Brand Identity in line with the created direction, depicting the progressive nature and the need to embrace the emerging world. We are grateful to our

Founders, Past Chairpersons and our senior and other Members for the blessings and the support.

As we enter the new terrain it is important to ensure our focus stays sharp. The �ve pillars that has been created, lead by extremely competent pillar heads, supported by equally committed team members, will shoulder the responsibility of implementation, “ walking our talk . The Pillars that will take this organization forward has a clearly de�ned mandate and are structured as Capacity Development Pillar, Policy Advocacy Pillar, Membership Development Pillar, PR and Branding Pillar,

and Finance and Governance Pillar

Key outcome of her tenure – Outgoing Chair M R S C H A T H U R I R A N A S I N G H E

Seated Left to Right:Ms Jani Perera (Assistant Treasurer), Ms Zahra Cader (Joint Secretary), Ms Gayani De Alwis (1st Vice Chairperson), Ms Chathuri Ranasinghe (Immediate Past Chairperson), Ms Indrani Fernando (Chairperson), Ms Ramani Ponnambalam (2nd Vice Chairperson), Ms Sonali De Silva (Joint Secretary), Ms Anoji De Silva (Treasurer)

Standing Left to Right:Ms Samitha Perera, Ms Nayana Karunaratne, Ms Sarrah Sammoon, Ms Tehani Mathew, Ms Tusitha Kumarakulasingham, Ms Ilanga Karunaratne, Ms Subathra Ramamurthy

Pillar Performance – Policy Advocacy

The deliberations captured speci�c interventions required by the members to enhance the performance of their businesses in the areas of

FINANCINGLABOUR LAWS

TAXESOTHER REGULATIONS AFFECTING BUSINESS

UNFAIR COMPETITION

The Chamber also included how the chamber could assist the Government to implement projects for the development of women entrepreneurs.

WCIC - CIPE Project 2020/20219TH OCTOBER 2020

Bi-monthly meeting for CIPE and WCIC to check in on the project

“RISKY BUSINESS: EXPLORING GENDER BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION

IN POLICY, PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE IN LENDING TO WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS”

Attended: Erinn Benedict, Barbara Langley, Connie Gonzalez of CIPE and WCIC Sarrah Sammoon, Chathuri Ranasinghe and Minari

Fernando

GENERATING IDEAS FOR PROPOSALS FROM WCIC FOR THE NATIONAL BUDGET

09TH OCTOBER 2020 – VIRTUAL MEETING

IFC (WORLD BANK GROUP) PARTNERSHIP PROJECT: COVID RAPID RESPONSE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS - MENTORING 15 WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS.

The objective of this program is to improve entrepreneurship skills, �nancial literacy & digital �nancial literacy thereby contributing to better �nancial inclusion, understanding of Marketing and Emerging marketing tools, Developing a sustainable supply chain etc through which allwoing empowerment for women . The programme will include individual mentoring sessions. The training will be conducted virtually as per the timetable with potential for face-to-face interaction. The total number of women entrepreneurs to be trained under the program is 15.

ILO INITIATED A WESTERN PROVINCE SME ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE WCIC FOR 50 COVID IMPACTED WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS, WITHIN THE WESTERN PROVINCE

This programme is to support SME’s to structure their businesses systematically to be resilient especially at times like COVID. Program is expected to cover 50 women entrepreneurs, in the western Province currently facing many issues with relation to continuing their businesses. The day session will include four speci�c segments: Marketing and Brand building for Success, Business process management, Knowing your numbers and Personal development. Was to be scheduled as soon as the restrictions were lifted

Pillar Performance – Capacity Building

WCIC board members conducted a successful brainstorming session for Commercial Care sector with USAID Catalyze PSD Private Sector Development Project team at the Galle face hotel on 6th December with OrzuConconi and Dion Schoorman. Chairperson WCIC Indrani Fernando, Board members Gayani de Alwis, Anoji de Silva, Zahra Cader, Nayana Karunaratne attended the session.

FOR COMMERCIAL CARE SECTOR WITH USAID TO CATALYZE PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (PSD)

6TH DECEMBER 2020GALLE FACE HOTEL, COLOMBO.

Brainstormingsession

M E M O R A N D U M O F U N D E R S T A N D I N G

(MOU) BETWEEN WCIC & AIESEC

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is made and entered between, AIESEC LIMITED (A local chapter of a global, non-political, independent not for pro�t

organization run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education) and WCIC on the 10th November 2020

Foreign volunteers provided by AIESEC in University of Colombo will be given opportunity spaces to volunteer in projects carried out by Women's Chamber of

industry and Commerce.

On 18th November 2020, Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered between WCIC /Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) to partner with their Women Technopreneurs form (WTech forum).

THIS IS TO WORK TOGETHER ON INITIATIVES PROMOTING WOMEN TAKING UP TECH BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

Collaborative Partnership with “Derana Start Up 2021” Entrepreneurial Reality TV program with ULead to mentor and develop young entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka. MOU was signed between the two organizations to enable the progress of the work on the 11th of August 2020

Program Manager YouLead Vindya Silva and Natali from Derana attended the meeting with WCIC Being represented by Chaturi Ranasinghe, Tusitha Kumarakulasingam, Gayani De Alwis, Anoji de Silva and Zahra Cader

WCIC was invited to the launch event of the programme at the Ministry of Youth Affairs

M E M O R A N D U M O F U N D E R S TA N D I N G ( M O U )BETWEEN WCIC AND SLASSCOM

M E M O R A N D U M O F U N D E R S TA N D I N G ( M O U )BETWEEN WCIC AND ULEAD

EXPLORING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ENTREPRENEURSPRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON TRADE OPPORTUNITIES IN SWEDEN – 18TH DECEMBER 2020

WCIC had a virtual discussion on 18th December 2020 with Mr. Dharshana M. Perera, Ambassador Designate to Sweden prior to his departure to discuss prospective market access opportunities for women owned businesses in Sweden.

THURSDAY THE 17TH DECEMBER 2020 AT 6 P.M.

WCIC conducted a virtual event themed "Comfy Cozy Chat" successfully with Rapthi Fernando and Suranjika Bartholomeusz of Stage Craft followed by carols with all the participants joining the session virtually. Due to the prevailing situation we were not able to conduct our traditional member meet-up events and the virtual event which was open to friends and family was a token of the restricted celebrations. It was a well attended event with lot of interaction and surprises

Pillar Performance - Membership Development

Virtual WCIC Cozy Comfy ChatWITH RAPTHI FERNANDO & SURANJIKA BARTHOLOMEUSZ

Rapthi and Suranjika were our guests and Tusitha Kumarakulasingam moderated the chat. Audi hosted the event and Eske fashion sponsored three hampers.

Rashmin (L) & Shahareen (R)Ms. Rashmin Sappideen,Creative Director/Head Planner, Hype Events & Leisure (Pvt) Ltd.

Our new membersINTRODUCING THE NEW COMERS WHO JOINED WCIC DURING THE PERIOD

Ms. Thakshila Jayatilake, Director/ Proprietor, St Mary’s Montessori Kandana & Mahawewa

Ms. Manohari Abeysekera. Director, National Savings Bank

Ms. Zahara Ansary,Country Manager,CIMA Sri Lanka

Ms. Stephanie Adams, Proprietor Bright Minds Montessori

R.A. Vindya Roshani Perera, Managing Director, Brilliant Cuts (Pvt) Ltd. And Tantra (Pvt) Ltd

Ms. Chamila Cooray, General Manager Operations, WNS Global Services (P) Ltd

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Industry and CommerceWomen's Chamber of

WOMEN’S CHAMBER OFINDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

96/25, Kitulwatte Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka

Tel: (9411)2671762

Fax: (9411) 2669074

Mobile: 076 6848080

Email: wcicsrilanka@gmail.com

Website: www.wcicsl.lk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCICSL/

Instagram: @wcicsl

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