Omega Line wins Asia Best Employer Brand Award with its CHRO named Top Most HR Leader – Asia

Omega Line has been recognised on one of Asia’s most competitive stages, winning the prestigious Asia Best Employer Brand Award at the 20th Employer Branding Awards, held on 11 August 2025 at Pan Pacific, Singapore. The accolade, presented by the Employer Branding Institute in partnership with the World HRD Congress and Stars of the Industry Group, celebrates organisations that excel in building strong employer brands and fostering inclusive, progressive workplace cultures.

The celebration of excellence extended beyond the organisation to its leadership. W. M. C. Sampath Weerakoon, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Operations at Omega Line, was named Top Most HR Leader – Asia at the 16th CMO Asia Awards 2025. Weerakoon has played a pivotal role in shaping Omega Line’s people strategy, bringing together career mobility, well-being, and performance to strengthen the company’s position as both a global exporter and an employer of choice.

‘‘This recognition is not merely a personal achievement, but a tribute to the dedication and excellence of our HR team and the management. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support and commitment, and I extend my special thanks to our visionary leader, Mr. Felix Fernando, whose guidance continues to inspire us,’’ said Weerakoon. 

In recent years, Omega Line has also been recognised within Sri Lanka for driving innovative people practices. At the Best Management Practices Company Awards 2025, it was honoured for digital literacy programmes and its commitment to social responsibility. 

Felix Fernando, CEO/Managing Director of Omega Line, said ‘‘The change I hoped for was never just about processes, but about culture where we lead with heart as much as with reason, and where passion and commitment matter as much as rules. To become a truly world-class organization, we must keep that hunger for excellence alive in all of us, especially among our senior leadership.’’ 

‘‘We may not have reached that point yet, but I have no doubt we will get there together. I want to sincerely thank each and every member of the Omega family for the support and encouragement you’ve given me after my second arrival here over the past three years. It has meant more to me than words can express.’’ 

The company’s culture has further been validated by Great Place to Work Sri Lanka, which ranked Omega Line among 15 Best Workplaces in the Manufacturing and Production Industry. This recognition reflects the confidence of employees themselves, offering bottom-up proof of the values and culture that Omega Line champions. 

Together, these honours signal more than symbolic victories. They highlight how Sri Lankan companies can compete globally not only on efficiency and scale but also on the strength of their people. For Omega Line and leaders like Sampath Weerakoon, the challenge now is to sustain this momentum, embedding recognition into daily routines and ensuring that the company’s reputation as one of Asia’s best employers continues to flourish. 

Omega Line itself has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporters to Europe, operating under the Oniverse umbrella (formerly Calzedonia). The company produces more than 100 million garments annually, with over 7,500 employees across its Sandalankawa and Vavuniya facilities. Omega Line together with its associated companies in Sri Lanka have invested over USD 450 million while annual export value is around USD 500 million, and yearly exports surpass 200 million units. This scale, however, is matched by a deep commitment to people, skills development, and workplace empowerment, underscoring the company’s belief that its success is inseparable from the strength of its workforce.