In a powerful move to promote inclusivity, EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Sri Lanka hosted an impactful panel discussion on social equity. The forum featured influential women leaders who shared their experiences and perspectives to drive progress in workplace diversity, both within the EY organization and in the wider community.
The panelists, including Kasturi Chellaraja, the first female Group CEO of a public-quoted conglomerate in Sri Lanka; Sandra De Zoysa, the first female Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM); and Ashanthi Weerasinghe, co-founder of one of the largest fitness center networks in Sri Lanka, offered valuable insights about dismantling societal biases and creating equal opportunities.
Highlighting a stark gender disparity in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector—where women represent a mere 30% of the workforce despite high educational attainment—the event underscored the need for urgent action to close the gender gap in technology.
Marking two years of its presence in Sri Lanka, EY GDS reiterated its commitment to diversity, and has successfully achieved and maintained a 50:50 gender-balanced workforce.
“Our pursuit of social equity is relentless and woven into the fabric of our operations,” said Sam Rajapaksa, Location and Consulting Leader, EY GDS Sri Lanka. “Our goal is to cultivate an environment where every voice is heard, and every potential is realized. By embracing an ‘always-on’ diversity mindset, we address disparities head-on, transforming our work culture to one where every individual can thrive.”
As a purpose-driven organization, EY GDS prioritizes inclusivity and equity throughout its internal systems, processes and programs. For example, through year-round employee listening exercises, the organization actively seeks insights into its diverse workforce’s experiences that can guide continuous improvement in achieving equity and fairness.
Moreover, inclusiveness is part of the EY values, and all EY people are required to sign the EY Global Code of Conduct, which mandates the full application of the EY values to guide both individual and organizational decisions. This is reinforced by the mandatory “Inclusive Leadership for All” learning course for all EY people that provides practical guidance to nurture, harness and benefit from diverse perspectives through team formation, task allocation, performance evaluations, and advancement criteria.
Throughout the year, EY GDS aims to foster meaningful conversations that embrace differences and help tackle inequities. By generating open dialogues and leveraging the experiences of trailblazers, EY GDS aims to support individuals to challenge societal norms, break down barriers, and inspire change across society.