Breaking News
Natasha
Natasha
Jul 07 2026
29The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka
(AmCham Sri Lanka) hosted “Her Story, Her Voice” at Cinnamon Life Colombo
yesterday evening, bringing together some of the country’s most respected women
leaders for candid conversations on leadership, resilience, legacy, and
influence.
The event was designed for senior corporate executives, entrepreneurs,
policymakers, and emerging leaders. Rather than following a conventional
leadership dialogue format, it moved into the personal journeys behind public
success. Two discussions, moderated by media consultant and entrepreneur
Savithri Rodrigo, gave attendees direct access to the experiences of women who
have shaped institutions at both corporate and national levels.
The first session, a Fireside Chat titled “Two Eras, One Vision,” featured Hon.
Rosy Senanayake, former Mayor of Colombo and former State Minister, and Hon.
Shiranee Tilakawardane, former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. Drawing on decades
of public service, the two leaders reflected on the defining moments of their
careers, the challenges they faced as women in leadership, and the convictions
that carried them through environments where scrutiny and responsibility were
exceptionally high.
Hon. Rosy Senanayake spoke about being defined for much of her public life by
her early recognition as a beauty queen, rather than as the institution-builder
and policymaker she went on to become. She said she worked to change that
perception through the substance of her work, a shift that culminated in her
tenure as Mayor of Colombo.
Hon. Shiranee Tilakawardane spoke about resilience and the influence women can
carry in senior positions such as hers. She outlined what she called the “4 Cs”
of leadership: Competence, Consistency, Courage, Character. She also reflected
on her years working in a male-dominated field, describing it not as an
obstacle but as a formative experience that shaped who she became.
The second discussion, “Women in Family Enterprises: Leadership, Legacy and
Longevity,” featured Manjula Mathews, Director of Janashakthi Group (JXG), and
Shehara De Silva, Group Managing Director of McLarens Holdings Limited.
Together, they shared their experiences balancing legacy with innovation,
navigating governance structures, and leading large organisations through
changing business environments.
The themes explored across both sessions resonated with executives across every
sector represented in the room. The evening concluded with a wine-and-dine
networking experience, giving attendees the opportunity to build ongoing
professional connections.
AmCham Sri Lanka thanked the CEOs, Managing Directors, Board Directors, senior
executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who joined the evening of
leadership insight and conversation.
AmCham Sri Lanka is one of the country’s most influential business chambers and
serves as the leading forum for trade, investment, and business relations
between Sri Lanka and the United States. The Chamber represents more than 350
members, drawn from senior leadership across leading Sri Lankan, American, and
international companies. It is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and
is a member of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce
(APCAC).
