Ceylon Chamber’s YBSL recognises Ampara’s young entrepreneurs

Wednesday, 1 October 2014 02:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Business Sri Lanka initiative recently recognised the Ampara District’s micro-scale entrepreneurs, by presenting one of them with the award for the district’s Best Young Entrepreneur. H.A. Deepal Priyadharshana, who operates a three-wheeler repair and a service centre was the winner of the prize while M. Hansul Fareed, who runs a fruit juice bottling and a milk processing business, was chosen as runner-up.

The Best Young Female Entrepreneur award for the Ampara District was given to H.A. Himali Manimelika, who runs a mushroom cultivation and distribution business, while the Best Young Upcoming Entrepreneur award was given to H.M.D. Pushpika Ishani. They were recognised during the YBSL Young Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony and Youth Mini Trade Fair, which was held in the Ampara District recently. All of the above prize-winning entrepreneurs came up under the Chamber’s YBSL program, which has given them entrepreneurial training and also helped them start businesses by providing them with the required finances. Youth Business Sri Lanka, inaugurated in 1997 in the Hambantota District, is currently operating in 10 districts where it empowers young entrepreneurs. It provides training, mentoring support and access to finance for emerging entrepreneurs. The latest effort is part of YBSL’s aim to recognise the entrepreneurs in the district who they have nurtured. YBSL, which came under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in 2007, has helped create nearly 2000 young entrepreneurs since 1997.