Gayani de Alwis re-elected Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Chairperson

New WCIC Board of Management for 2025/26 

Standing from left: Shabiya Ali Ahlam, Krishnajina Rajapathirane, Zahara Ansary, Chitranjali Dissanayake (CEO), Zahra Cader, Eranthi Premaratne, Wathsala Wickramanayake 

Seated from left: Oshadhi Somasinghe, Tehani Mathew, Tusitha Kumarakulasingam, Gayani de Alwis (Chairperson), Ramani Ponnambalam, Nilani Seneviratne, Renuka Senanayake

Absent: Naushalya Rajapakse and Sarrah Sammoon 

• Board of Management for 2025/2026 announced at the 40th AGM

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce conducted its 40th Annual General Meeting recently with Gayani de Alwis commencing her second term as Chairperson for the period 2025/2026, as per the constitution of the WCIC.

Addressing the AGM, de Alwis pledged her commitment to driving the WCIC vision to be the ‘think tank’ voice and the ‘platform’ empowering women to be powerful nation builders by participating in transforming economic growth of the country.  

«Over the past four decades of our trailblazing journey, WCIC has evolved into a think tank, voice and a platform for women in business, fostering an inclusive environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive. 

"We have witnessed remarkable growth and transformation in our journey through encouraging participation, creating opportunities, removing barriers to build sustainable businesses along the way" ,she said.

She emphasised that the WCIC as the National Chamber for Women in Business, collaborates with all Chambers and has partnerships with like minded organisations with similar objectives. These initiatives allow the Chamber members to benefit from efforts across all such organisations.

WCIC during the year championed our three flagship properties which have clearly defined objectives and deliverables. WCIC Prathibhabisheka - Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024, which recognise and rewards outstanding women entrepreneurs across the country and the SAARC region, WCIC Women Leadership Forum – which deliberates on pertinent topics relevant to women in business and shares unique knowledge and learning opportunity, WCIC RampUp – The fashion show providing opportunity for entrepreneurs in the fashion business to showcase their products on the ramp and to become export ready.  

De Alwis concluded her speech by thanking the Past Chairpersons and members for their presence and the Pillar Leads for their dedicated voluntary service and appreciating the outgoing Board Members contribution to the WCIC.

Gracing the post event as Chief Guest was 99x Founder and Chairman Mano Sekaram who shared insights on the importance of entrepreneurships and particularly start-ups. “In comparison to large-scale businesses, SMEs are the ones that really create job opportunities”. «While SMEs are good for the economy, Start-ups are the disruptors of the market,» he said. As an Investor, he encouraged the setting up of more start-ups to grow the country’s economy even further.

The post AGM session was attended by invitees from the national chambers, banks and business community.

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce is the premier organisation supporting Entrepreneurs and professional businesswomen. With a well-structured Board of Management and Pillar teams and Leaders with dedicated responsibility the organisation focuses on achieving its detailed objectives with a clearly defined strategic plan, as well as a plan into action. The membership is open to women who believe they can contribute to society as well as benefit from the many facilities the organisation creates.