SLID launches Women In Leadership intake 4

SLID Women Directors Forum Chair Sandra De Zoysa, SLID Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) is set to launch the fourth intake of its flagship Women in Leadership program on 21 October 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the pipeline of women ready to take on leadership and board-level responsibilities in Sri Lanka’s corporate sector.

To be held at the City Club Meeting Room, Cinnamon Grand, the six-month program is designed to support second-tier female executives, women directors and aspiring female leaders as they prepare to navigate the increasingly complex demands of senior leadership and the boardroom.

The program comes at a time when organisations are placing greater emphasis on diversity, strong governance and developing a sustainable leadership pipeline. Through a combination of structured learning, mentoring and networking, SLID’s Women in Leadership program seeks to equip participants not only with the knowledge required for boardroom leadership, but also with the confidence and strategic perspective needed to progress their careers.

The program incorporates mentoring sessions with experienced Board Directors, a one-day intensive leadership program tailored specifically for women leaders and dedicated career support. Participants will also have opportunities to network with leading corporate figures in Sri Lanka and gain access to the SLID Women Directors Forum, together with its membership benefits and resources.

Those who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and gain entry to SLID’s prestigious directory of Women Directors and Board Ready Women, providing an additional platform for visibility and future board opportunities.

SLID Women Directors Forum Chair Sandra De Zoysa said:  “The Women Directors Forum is committed to accelerating the advancement of women onto Boards across all sectors and to building a strong, lasting female leadership pipeline. Participants in this program will gain a real understanding of boardroom dynamics and the responsibilities that make a director effective, learn from experienced Board Directors and experts in governance, regulation and technology, and share experiences with one another to solve the challenges women face in the boardroom. They will also build networks across industries and disciplines, position themselves strategically for the next stage of their careers, strengthen their personal brand, and achieve a healthier work-life balance. Our aim is to prepare women to take their seat at the table with confidence and credibility.” 

SLID Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody emphasised that developing women for leadership is increasingly a strategic business imperative for Sri Lankan organisations.

“The high levels of migration in recent years, coupled with the large pool of educated women in Sri Lanka, make it not only the right thing to do, but also smart business practice. Ensuring the full participation of women in corporate decision-making is now an imperative,” he said.

Reflecting on the response to previous program, Weerakkody noted that participants had consistently described the initiative as a source of significant learning, personal development and inspiration. He said the strong feedback and continuing need to build a stronger pipeline of women leaders made the continuation of the program particularly timely.

With only 25 places available for the upcoming intake, SLID is encouraging corporates to identify and nominate emerging women leaders and invest strategically in building a more diverse and inclusive leadership pipeline for the future.