DIVA, a proud Sri Lankan laundry care brand with over 20 years of heritage, celebrated the victors of the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development Programme in Galle on 28 February 2024. This initiative encompassed comprehensive training sessions centred around women’s entrepreneurship and skill enhancement. Post a thorough evaluation process, four highest performing entrepreneurs were awarded at this ceremony.
Amid the prevailing economic challenges confronting the nation, a striking trend has emerged: entrepreneurs, hailing from both small and medium-scale enterprises, have emerged as a driving force behind domestic economic growth. Their substantial contributions have played a vital role in revitalizing the nation’s economy. Particularly noteworthy is the transition of homemakers into entrepreneurs, bolstering their household economies. This transition extends beyond traditional domestic roles like sewing, knitting, and culinary arts, signalling a significant shift where women are actively propelling the national economy forward as integral members of the workforce. Their diverse talents, including craftsmanship, have empowered them to enter the entrepreneurial arena, thereby enhancing both their family’s financial well-being and the broader national economic landscape.
Recognizing the steadfast spirit of women entrepreneurs, DIVA has launched the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development programme with the primary aim of providing expert guidance to refine their business acumen, skills, and capabilities. This programme is meticulously crafted to empower women entrepreneurs by endowing them with the confidence, knowledge, and skills necessary for initiating, managing, and strategically selling their businesses. Understanding the challenges faced by some women due to constraints like time, knowledge gaps, and lack of support in pursuing their aspirations, DIVA is committed to extending a supportive hand to talented women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka through the Diva Daathata Diriyak initiative.
The programme diligently monitors the progress and potential of the women participating in the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development programme, with a particular emphasis on marketing women’s household products. Furthermore, it incentivizes women entrepreneurs who excel and secure top positions upon completing the programme by offering financial rewards to further fuel their growth and business capital.
These women entrepreneurs were assessed through a thorough evaluation process which included criteria such as business registration, accounting & bookkeeping, employment provided to other ladies, improvement in monthly sales, packaging & branding, new customer acquisition and innovative initiatives. Upon assessing the advancement achieved by the women entrepreneurs who participated in the programme, the following women emerged victorious. In First place was R.K Lakmali (Bites & Sweets) residing in Amabalangoda, Second was H.R.M Sarajoni (Kurakan powder production, honey & garlic, dry banana) residing in Karandeniya, and Third place was shared between W.C Manel Kumari (Shoes) residing in Ambalangoda and A.K Ramaya Priyani (Mushrooms & Food Technology) residing in Divithura, respectively. These extremely capable women were recognised and rewarded for their outstanding efforts.
As the saying goes, “The hands that rocks the cradle rule the world,” underscoring the crucial role of women in nurturing future generations and thereby shaping the nation’s development. It’s imperative to consistently acknowledge, cherish, and support these contributions. The ‘Diva Daathata Diriyak’ programme remains a steadfast source of inspiration and empowerment, nurturing women to embrace the future with their natural strengths and talents, thereby ushering them into a realm of business prospects.