Sri Lankan women continue to break barriers, challenge norms and make a lasting impact across industries. From business and science to beauty, fashion and digital media, they are shaping the future with skill, creativity and determination.
This Women’s Day, we celebrate a diverse group of trailblazers, women of different generations and backgrounds who have made a name for themselves in recent years. Their influence can be seen in many ways; driving innovation, building businesses, shaping culture and redefining beauty standards, all while inspiring and paving the way for others.
Stasshani Jayawardena
A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Business
Stasshani Jayawardena has long been a force to reckon with in Sri Lanka’s corporate sector, but in 2025, her journey took on an even greater significance. Following the passing of her father, Harry Jayawardena, she was appointed Chairperson of Aitken Spence. A trailblazer in her own right, Stasshani is the youngest and only female board member at the company, overseeing its vast tourism cluster, which includes hotels, destination management and overseas travel.
Beyond business, Stasshani is a vocal advocate for diversity, equality and inclusion. Under her leadership, the company has reinforced its commitment to gender equality, becoming one of the first companies in the world to sign the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles. She ensures that women have a seat at the table, creating an environment where talent and merit take precedence over gender.
Stasshani’s leadership is defined by a relentless pursuit of innovation and transformation and has built a reputation for pushing boundaries, questioning the status quo and driving sustainable growth. She believes that true progress comes from continuous learning and the courage to embrace change, values that have propelled her to the forefront of Sri Lanka’s corporate world.
Through her endeavours Stasshani remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring business leaders, proving that success is built on vision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to fostering a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Chamari Athapaththu
The Powerhouse of Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket
Chamari Athapaththu is an icon for women’s sports in Sri Lanka. In 2024, she cemented her place in history by becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to top the ICC rankings for ODI batters, a testament to her dominance on the field. That same year, she was named Most Outstanding Female Sports Personality of the Year, further solidifying her status as one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated athletes.
Her journey began in 2009, when she made her international debut as a 19-year-old at the T20 World Cup, and shortly after, she was already making headlines, playing match-winning knocks and earning recognition as Sri Lanka’s best batter.
Under her captaincy, Sri Lanka’s women’s team has achieved historic milestones. She led them to their first-ever T20I series wins over cricketing powerhouses South Africa and England, along with a maiden ODI series victory against New Zealand. Her impact also extends beyond the national team. She became the first Sri Lankan woman to play franchise cricket internationally, signing with Yorkshire Diamonds.
Chamri’s story is one of perseverance and passion and proves that Sri Lankan women belong on the global stage. With every boundary she smashes and every milestone she reaches, she inspires a new generation to dream bigger, play harder and break barriers.
Anudi Gunasekara
A Beauty Queen with a Purpose
Anudi Gunasekara, crowned Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2024, is far more than just a titleholder. A model, content creator and passionate advocate, she uses her platform to uplift communities and empower women across Sri Lanka. She holds a degree in International Studies, which has shaped her perspective on global and local issues, particularly those affecting women.
Anudi’s journey goes beyond the glitz of pageantry, her heart lies in philanthropy. Through her foundation, Saheli, she has begun to help combat period poverty in Sri Lanka, a silent struggle for thousands of marginaluzed Sri Lankan women who lack access to basic hygiene products. Understanding that this issue extends beyond economics to cultural taboos, she founded this initiative to provide essential support to these women.
Balancing her role as a pageant queen with advocacy work, Anudi is a true embodiment of beauty with purpose. As she prepares to represent Sri Lanka on the global stage this May, her journey serves as an inspiration for young women to pursue their dreams while lifting others along the way.
Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson
Breaking Barriers in Business and Beyond
Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson’s journey from a humble background in Colombo to becoming one of Sri Lanka’s most influential corporate leaders is nothing short of extraordinary. A trailblazer in the truest sense, she has shattered multiple glass ceilings, most notably when she became the first female Group CEO of Hemas Holdings PLC in 2020.
Now serving as the Chief Operating Officer (Head of APAC) at 5hour International Corporation, a leading energy beverage brand in the USA and Singapore, she continues to drive innovation and excellence on a global scale.
Kasturi’s leadership extends far beyond the boardroom. A fierce advocate for gender equality she has been widely recognized, being named one of Sri Lanka’s Top 12 Women Change-Makers by the Parliament of Sri Lanka and USAID and has received numerous accolades, including the Women Super Achiever Award at the World Women Leadership Congress Awards in India. Beyond the corporate world, she has also left a lasting legacy in sports, having represented Sri Lanka in both netball and basketball and even captained the national basketball team in 1989.
Kasturi also remains deeply committed to giving back. She serves on the UNICEF Business Council, advocating for children's rights and sustainable development, ensuring that her influence is used for the betterment of society. Her story is an inspiration to aspiring leaders everywhere, demonstrating that with determination, courage and an unwavering commitment to excellence, no goal is out of reach.
Asha de Vos
Championing Ocean Conservation for Future Generations
Asha de Vos is a force of nature, both in her work and in her impact on the world. As Sri Lanka’s first deep-sea explorer and a pioneering marine biologist, she has dedicated her life to studying and protecting the ocean’s most magnificent creatures. Her groundbreaking research on blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean has earned her international recognition, making her a leading voice in marine conservation.
Asha’s academic credentials are as impressive as her fieldwork; she holds degrees from the University of St. Andrews, the University of Oxford and the University of Western Australia. She has also founded Oceanswell, Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation and education non-profit. Through this initiative, she has not only advanced scientific research but also educated and empowered local communities to take ownership of marine conservation.
Featured in BBC, The New York Times, TED and National Geographic, Asha has become an international advocate for the oceans. In a historic achievement, she was recently appointed to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, the first Sri Lankan to ever hold this position. This appointment recognizes her invaluable contributions to marine science and her ability to bridge the gap between research, policy and public awareness. Her unwavering passion and commitment serve as a reminder that one person, armed with knowledge and determination, can truly change the world.
Savindri Perera
Showcasing Sri Lankan Flavours on the Global Stage
From a banking consultant in Adelaide to a celebrated finalist on MasterChef Australia Season 16 last year, Savindri Perera, has taken the culinary world by storm. Finishing third in the competition, she wowed judges and audiences alike with her inventive and deeply personal approach to Sri Lankan cuisine.
Influenced by both her late mother and culinary icon Nigella Lawson, Savindri developed a rustic, generous and colorful style of cooking, one that celebrates the depth of Sri Lanka’s culinary traditions while pushing creative boundaries.
Competing on MasterChef was a turning point in her journey, proving that passion and dedication can lead to extraordinary opportunities. Now, she is set on a mission to elevate Sri Lankan cuisine on the global stage. With plans to write a cookbook and open a restaurant, Savindri’s journey is just beginning.
Through her success, she challenges the notion that one must follow a conventional career path, proving that it is never too late to chase a dream. By sharing Sri Lankan culture through food, she not only pays tribute to her roots but also inspires others to embrace their passions fearlessly.
Shenelle Rodrigo
Bringing Sri Lanka’s Stories to the World
Shenelle Rodrigo has become one of Sri Lanka’s most influential travel content creators, earning recognition as a Sri Lanka Tourism YouTube Ambassador and the Best Youth Tourism Promoter at the 2022 New Generation Awards. Through her website Sheneller.com and her widely followed digital platforms, she has reshaped the way the world sees Sri Lanka, capturing its beauty, culture and history with authenticity.
Her journey began in response to crises like the Easter Sunday attacks and COVID-19, when mainstream media painted a negative picture of the country. Alongside her husband and business partner, Shehaan Thaahir, Shenelle set out to provide a local perspective, reconnecting Sri Lankans and the diaspora with their heritage. Through her storytelling, Shenelle continues to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage, proving that authentic narratives have the power to transform perceptions.
Each of these remarkable women reminds us that determination, innovation and resilience can create lasting impact. From business to science, sports to storytelling, they have each broken barriers, redefined success and uplifted those around them. Their journeys serve as an inspiration for all women to dream boldly, challenge limitations and carve their own paths.
This Women’s Day, as we celebrate all the women around the world, may we continue to support and empower the next generation of Sri Lankan women to rise, lead and leave their mark on the world.