Colombo, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial spirit takes centre stage tonight as the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) hosts the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Awards (SLEOTY) at Cinnamon Life. Since its inception in the mid-1990s, SLEOTY has become the country’s most prestigious platform for recognising the transformative power of enterprise — honouring business leaders who rose from modest beginnings to reshape the nation’s economy.
The awards are more than a celebration of business success. They are a tribute to resilience, innovation, and impact — recognising micro, small, medium, large, and extra-large enterprises that have embraced global best practices, digital transformation, sustainability, and export-driven growth. Many past winners have evolved from small family-run ventures into multinational companies, creating jobs, opening markets, and elevating “Brand Sri Lanka” on the global stage.
Beyond financial metrics, these entrepreneurs are nation builders. They hold together the social and economic fabric during times of crisis — from debt burdens and foreign exchange shortages to the migration of skilled talent. Their companies have trained thousands, many of whom have gone on to launch their own ventures, amplifying SLEOTY’s impact far beyond the awards stage.
This year’s ceremony is particularly symbolic, marking 25 years of SLEOTY and 50 years of FCCISL’s leadership as the apex body of Sri Lankan business. Over five decades, the chamber has championed trade promotion, investment facilitation, entrepreneurship development, and policy advocacy — forging partnerships with governments and global organisations to enhance competitiveness.
FCCISL’s vision goes beyond recognition. It calls for entrepreneurs to play an active role in governance — contributing their practical expertise to policy-making, legislative reform, and oversight. “Their insights can help transform public service into a more productive, accountable, and value-for-money institution,” said Ruwan De Silva, Chairman of FCCISL’s Public Relations Committee.
The 2025 awards also serve as a strategic platform for economic diplomacy, with ambassadors and foreign dignitaries in attendance. Through this engagement, Sri Lankan businesses can forge global partnerships, attract investment, secure technology transfers, and strengthen their brands in new markets.
As Sri Lanka navigates complex economic and social challenges, FCCISL believes entrepreneurs will lead the nation’s resurgence — driving growth in manufacturing, exports, tourism, technology, sustainability, and renewable energy. “Entrepreneurs are not only wealth creators but also nation builders,” said FCCISL President Keerthi Gunawardena. “By celebrating their achievements, we also celebrate Sri Lanka’s capacity to rise, recover, and reach new horizons.”
The SLEOTY Awards 2025 are more than a milestone — they are a reaffirmation of faith in Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial future. With resilience, innovation, and collaboration, the nation stands ready to reinvent itself and reclaim its place on the global stage.
