BConnected and Solutions Ground host Sri Lanka’s largest corporate engagement on disability inclusion

Corporate representatives at the registration table, One of the candidates with disabilities facing an interview

• Over 71 corporate representatives interview candidates with disabilities in a landmark employer engagement day

In a landmark initiative that underscored the evolving role of the private sector in building inclusive workplaces, reputed recruitment and event management agency, BConnected, in collaboration with the international business consultancy, Solutions Ground, successfully convened one of Sri Lanka’s largest employer engagement programs focused on disability-inclusive hiring. Held in Colombo recently, at the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, the event brought together 71 representatives from over 30 leading organisations to directly meet, assess, and interview 29 pre-screened candidates with disabilities.

This milestone event marked a decisive shift in how the corporate sector engages with disability inclusion, not as a peripheral conversation or corporate social responsibility initiative, but as a strategic approach to talent acquisition and workforce development. Representatives from sectors including hospitality, banking, logistics services, creative agencies, FMCG, retail, insurance, and business process outsourcing, were in attendance, many for the first time participating in a structured dialogue around disability employment.

The event’s objective was to connect talented, job-ready individuals with disabilities to decision-makers and hiring managers from top-tier organisations, thereby bridging one of the most persistent gaps in the country’s employment landscape. Throughout the day, employers engaged in formal one-on-one interviews with each candidate, who represented a diverse range of abilities, qualifications, and professional interests. Many organisations expressed genuine interest in moving forward with employment discussions, while several senior representatives acknowledged the event as a turning point in their understanding of disability and workplace readiness.

“I would like to acknowledge BConnected’s pioneering initiative in organising the first career fair specifically for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This event was truly unique and sets a remarkable precedent in the industry. I sincerely appreciate this initiative and wish for it to expand significantly, evolving into a major platform for promoting inclusivity and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Our opportunity to engage with participants in person allowed us to identify and connect with talented individuals,” said a corporate representative from a leading FMCG manufacturer in Sri Lanka.

Candidates with disabilities being interviewed

BConnected Managing Director Felicia Adhihetty described the initiative as a timely and transformative response to Sri Lanka’s growing call for equity in employment. “We created a platform for opportunity. This event proves that when corporate Sri Lanka is given a clear pathway to inclusion, it shows up with intent, humility, and purpose. We are proud to have led what is now one of the most significant private-sector gatherings for disability-inclusive hiring in the country.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, companies were provided with tailored orientation materials to ensure that their teams engaged with empathy, preparedness, and professionalism. Each participating candidate was also supported through pre-interview coaching as well as readiness training, to ensure that the engagement was meaningful and mutually beneficial. The provision of sign language interpreters enabled the corporates to communicate with the deaf candidates seamlessly.

Solutions Ground CEO/Founder Lakshan Madurasinghe added, “This is our way of giving back, by doing what we know best. Preparing youth for the world of work, but this time, we focused on a group that is often left behind, despite their capabilities. Beyond just preparing the candidates, we also took the steps to prepare the companies. Because when both sides are equipped to meet each other halfway, something powerful happens. This is smart, inclusive hiring, and it’s long overdue.”

The Employer Engagement Day closed on a high note, with numerous organisations offering their appreciation to BConnected and Solutions Ground for curating this experience, while several corporate representatives called for the model to be institutionalised and expanded across industries and regions.