In recognition of International Women’s Day 2026, Sampath Bank hosted its Entrepreneur Development Programme under the theme ‘Unstoppable Woman’, bringing together SME women entrepreneurs for an evening centred on knowledge sharing, inspiration and practical business insights. Held at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, the event welcomed over 100 participants alongside members of the Bank’s Board and Corporate Management, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue on entrepreneurship, resilience and sustainable business growth.
Designed as part of Sampath Bank’s continued engagement with women-led SMEs, the programme focused on equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and networks needed to strengthen their ventures and leading the way to ambitious growth of the sector. Through a series of thought-provoking presentations and discussions, participants gained insights into leadership, financial discipline, personal brand building and the strategic use of digital platforms and e-commerce to expand market reach.
Reflecting on the initiative, Aroshi Nanayakkara, Independent Non-Executive Director and Board Marketing Committee Chair at Sampath Bank, noted that the Bank’s annual International Women’s Day initiative reflects a deeper commitment to empowering women within Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She stated that the theme ‘Unstoppable Woman’ this year recognises the vital contribution women entrepreneurs make to the SME sector, which continues to form the backbone of economies across the world. She added that Sampath Bank remains committed to supporting women not only through financial solutions but also through access to knowledge, insight and capability building that enables businesses to grow sustainably and reach global markets.
The event featured a distinguished line-up of speakers who shared perspectives drawn from their professional journeys. Renowned entrepreneur Ramani Fernando, Director and CEO, Ramani Fernando Salons, spoke on transforming passion into profession through determination and perseverance, while Shea Wickramasingha, Group Managing Director, CBL Group, explored how businesses can evolve from strong local foundations to achieve international reach. Chamila Bandara, Group Management Committee Member – Hayleys Advantis, Director Advantis Express Pvt Ltd, Licensee Federal Express Corporation for Sri Lanka & Maldives, Director – IML Delivery Systems Pvt Ltd representing Citypak; reflected on resilience as a defining strength for women navigating the realities of entrepreneurship while Asanka Liyanage, DGM – Consumer & SME Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, highlighted the importance of disciplined financial management as the backbone of sustainable business success.
Participants who arrived from all corners of the island engaged in discussions on scaling businesses to the next stage of growth, strengthening personal brands, and leveraging digital marketing tools and social media to reach wider audiences. Real-life entrepreneurial experiences shared during the programme offered practical lessons and encouragement for women building enterprises across diverse sectors.
Through initiatives such as the ‘Unstoppable Woman’, Sampath Bank continues to nurture a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs, reaffirming its commitment to enabling opportunity, strengthening businesses and contributing to the broader progress of Sri Lanka’s SME sector.
