In a celebration of International Women’s Day, Diva, the premier laundry brand from Hemas Consumer Brands, launched an online marketplace for ‘Diva Daathata Diriyak Women Entrepreneurs’, opening up the world to them. Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development Program has been empowering women entrepreneurs island wide and the “online marketplace” is a key initiative under this program. A special event was hosted to officially launch the online marketplace and to honour the remarkable journey and success of the Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurs who have now got the opportunity to expand their horizons through this online marketplace. The event not only highlighted the resilience, growth, and achievements of women entrepreneurs but elaborated the expansion of their businesses from regional to national and even to international levels.
The Diva Daathata Diriyak Entrepreneurial Skills Development Programme has already transformed the lives of over 400 women entrepreneurs across six provinces in Sri Lanka, including North Western, Central, Uva, Northern, Southern, and North Central. Through comprehensive training sessions, conducted in partnership with Women in Management (WIM), these women entrepreneurs were equipped with essential entrepreneurial skills, financial knowledge, and the confidence to grow their businesses. The top-performing entrepreneurs from each province were further supported with monetary grants to boost their capital, enabling them to scale their ventures.
Building upon this success, Diva is now launching an online platform for Diva Daathata Diriyak women entrepreneurs. This digital space, created in collaboration with a leading Ecommerce solutions provider, Daraz Sri Lanka, provides a gateway for these talented women to showcase their products, connect with a broader audience, and access new markets. The platform is a testament to Diva’s commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women to thrive on a global stage.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the “Diva Daathata Diriyak Online Platform” where the entrepreneurs would get access to a wider marketplace. The event was then, centred around a panel discussion highlighting the collaboration of 3 parties for the empowerment of Women entrepreneurship and the success stories of Diva Daathata Diriyak Women Entrepreneurs. The dynamic panel discussion brought together Mr. Shiyan Jayaweera, Director Marketing at Hemas Consumer Brands; Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder and Chairperson of Women in Management (WIM); Mr. Oshan Ranathunga – Chief Commercial Officer, Daraz Sri Lanka and 3 Diva Daathata Diriyak Women Entrepreneurs. The conversation explored the strategic importance of the Diva Daathata Diriyak programme, its alignment with Diva’s brand purpose, and the collaborative efforts to support women-led businesses.
Mr. Shiyan Jayaweera emphasized Diva’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, stating, “At Diva, we believe in the limitless potential of women. With the launch of the Diva Daathata Diriyak online platform, we are opening the world to women entrepreneurs, giving them the tools to succeed on a global stage. This is more than just a platform; it’s a movement to create a brighter future for women everywhere.”
Confirming the above statement, R. K. Lakmali (Owner of GTS Products) stated that the “Online Platform has helped me to take my products not only island wide but also to the export market. I never imagined that my business will reach the international market in such a short time. I am grateful to Diva and all parties involved in this for all the support”. H. K. Shanika Prabhashini (Owner of Sufisen Grinding Mills) stated “I had been distributing my products only in and around Dankotuwa area but the new Online Platform has paved the way for me to distribute my products island wide. This has helped me grow my revenue than before.”
Adding to the panel discussion, Dr. Sulochana Segera highlighted the transformative impact of the training and mentorship provided through the initiative, noting how it has shifted mindsets and prepared women for future challenges. Mr. Oshan Ranathunga – Chief Commercial Officer, Daraz Sri Lanka underscored the role of digital platforms in business growth, explaining how the collaboration with Diva Daathata Diriyak has enabled women entrepreneurs to develop digital skills, access new markets, and scale their businesses effectively.
Another highlight of the evening were the success stories shared by women entrepreneurs who have been part of the Diva Daathata Diriyak programme. They shared their personal journeys, reflecting on how Diva’s support has helped them overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and achieve financial independence. Their stories served as a powerful reminder of the programme’s success in creating meaningful change and empowering women to take control of their futures.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Diva reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the Diva Daathata Diriyak initiativeand further strengthening its role in uplifting women and driving economic progress.
Photo Caption: The Diva team, Women in Management (WIM), Daraz Sri Lanka, and the women entrepreneurs of Sufisen Grinding Mills, GTS Products, SuSaYeLi Grains & Spices, Supiri Products & M Shoes launching the Diva Daathata Diriyak online marketplace and participating in the panel discussion.
About Hemas Consumer
Hemas Consumer Brands, a leader in Sri Lanka’s Home and Personal Care sector for 60 years, focuses on empowering families to aspire for a better tomorrow. The business takes pride in utilising local insights to innovate and develop consumer centric propositions that have helped establish their purpose led brands as trusted household names in Sri Lanka. Driven by its deep understanding of the Sri Lankan consumer and an unwavering commitment to delivering superior quality and value through its products, Hemas Consumer Brands continues to enrich the lives of communities across the country.
