‘Hello Amma’ empowers mothers to re-enter workforce

Participants of the first Hello Amma Return-to-Work workshop with Hello Amma Founder Gayani Punchihewa

Hello Amma Founder Gayani Punchihewa addressing mothers on the importance of resilience and career readiness

Hello Amma Founder Gayani Punchihewa presents token of appreciation to Kapruka.com Founder and Chairman Dulith Herath for his inspiring presence and thought-provoking message to participants during the workshop

XpressJobs Co founder and COO Dr. Oshadie Korale sharing expert insights on crafting standout CVs, leveraging LinkedIn, and acing interviews

CIPM Sri Lanka COO Himali Disanayake delivering an insightful speech on employer expectations and HR insights, providing valuable guidance for professionals in the industry

HR professional and psychologist Dhanishka Dharmarathne sharing valuable insights on cultivating the right mindset and achieving workplace readiness, inspiring attendees to excel in their careers

• Holds first Return-to-Work workshop

Hello Amma, a pioneering social-impact initiative, has launched Sri Lanka’s first Return-to-Work Workshop to support mothers re-entering the workforce after career breaks.

Held on September 30 at WSPACE Colombo, the event marked a milestone in advancing gender equality, workplace inclusivity, and sustainable growth in line with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

The workshop addressed the often invisible barriers faced by mothers such as self-doubt, fear of rejection, and loss of professional confidence. It also equipped them with practical skills in CV building, interview preparation, emotional resilience, digital tools, and networking.

Hello Amma Founder Gayani Punchihewa said: “Behind every statistic of women leaving the workforce, there is a mother with dreams put on hold. Hello Amma helps mothers restart their careers with dignity and confidence, while giving organisations access to a resilient, talented workforce. When mothers thrive, workplaces become stronger and society as a whole benefits.”

Participants engaged with leading professionals who shared practical strategies for career re-entry: Dhanishka Dharmarathna, Psychologist and HR Professional – building emotional resilience; Himali Dassanayake, COO of CIPM – understanding employer expectations and readiness; Dr.Oshadie Korale, XpressJobs Co founder and COO – crafting AI-friendly CVs and LinkedIn profiles; Dulith Herath, Founder of Kapruka – bringing an employer’s perspective on how mothers’ maturity and soft skills strengthen workplaces alongside younger talent; and Gayani Punchihewa, Founder of Hello Amma – guiding participants on personal branding and confidence-building for career re-entry.

Mothers also received Hello Amma’s Return-to-Work Blueprint, a structured pathway covering professional preparation, resilience-building, digital upskilling, and support systems to ensure they are workplace-ready.

Beyond training, Hello Amma also acts as a bridge between mothers and employers, helping organisations tap into an underutilised talent pool. Employers gain access to women who are technically skilled and bring maturity, resilience, and adaptability shaped by their life experiences.

The initiative was made possible through the support of Norfolk Foods (sponsor), and in-kind contributions from Janet and Elephant House, who provided appreciation gifts to resource persons. Hello Amma expressed deep gratitude to all partners and speakers for championing this mission.

Hello Amma’s vision extends beyond individual workshops. By bridging the gap between mothers and employers, it aims to create inclusive workplaces, reduce the stigma of career breaks, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s workforce participation rates.

 “This is not just a workshop, it is the start of a movement. We are building pathways that connect mothers with employers who value inclusivity and resilience. I invite forward-thinking organisations to join us in this journey of empowerment and impact,” Gayani added.