Chrysalis marks decade of catalysing inclusive change across Sri Lanka

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chrysalis has completed ten years of working alongside women, youth, and communities across Sri Lanka, a decade measured not just in numbers, but in trust earned, one community at a time.

Founded in 2016, Chrysalis has grown from a locally rooted initiative into an organisation working across inclusive growth, with women and youth at the centre, alongside climate resilience, peacebuilding and inclusive governance. Today, that work spans 18 districts across Sri Lanka and four islands in the Maldives through 92 projects, delivered with 43 donors and 23 partners, reaching 330,000 people directly, with ripple effects extending to a further 11.3 million lives across Sri Lanka. Its guiding belief has stayed constant throughout: lasting change happens when communities, institutions, businesses and development partners choose to build it together. That impact was recognised in 2026, when the Industry and Entrepreneurship Ministr named Chrysalis a key factor in Sri Lanka’s MSME ecosystem.

“Ten years is a milestone, but it is not the destination,” said Chrysalis CEO Ashika Gunasena. “What matters to us is what we have learned along the way, the relationships we have built, and the lives and communities that have shaped our work. I’ve been fortunate to share this journey with a team that continues to bring so much heart, commitment and capability to what we do.”

Alongside its core programmatic work, Chrysalis has built a portfolio of ventures - Chrysalis Advisory Services, Sri Lanka Less Travelled, Made by Her and The HIVE connecting communities and entrepreneurs to markets, expertise and opportunity, and extending impact beyond traditional program delivery.

The anniversary milestone was marked on 3 September 2026 at the Galle Face Hotel, bringing together development partners, donors, government representatives, diplomatic missions and INGOs who have shaped the organisation’s journey. Guests were taken through “10 Milestones: The Chrysalis Journey,” an immersive retelling of the decade through the voices of the Chrysalis team, alongside a screening of winning films from Third Act: Reframing HER Narratives, celebrating women’s voices and perspectives.

The evening also marked a new chapter: the launch of Chrysalis’ new website, chrysaliscatalyz.com — a single home for the organisation’s programs, ventures and vision, and a platform built for the decade ahead.

“For 10 years, Chrysalis has shown what becomes possible when women, young people and communities are trusted to lead their own change. On behalf of the Board, I thank everyone who has walked this journey with us. Our next chapter is about deepening that trust, widening our reach and building a more inclusive and sustainable Sri Lanka together,” said Chrysalis Chair of the Board of Directors Tamara Bernard.

This journey has been made possible by our diverse and experienced team, and by the trust and partnership of our donors, partners and communities. We remain committed to transparency, accountability and strong financial and support systems as we continue this work.