Unilever Sri Lanka hosts evening of fellowship with partners, private and public sectors to reinforce partnerships in 2023.   

In honour of Unilever’s 85th year of operating in Sri Lanka and in view of appreciating the unwavering support and contributions extended by its partners in 2022, Unilever Sri Lanka recently hosted an evening of fellowship under the theme ‘Stronger Together’, with its stakeholders across the value chain. The event reinforced the importance of partnerships and collaboration in rebuilding the economy and advancing social and environmental progress in Sri Lanka.

The occasion, which took place at the Hilton Colombo, was graced by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe – Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Mr. Anura Dissanayake – Secretary to the Prime Minister; Her Excellency, Bonnie Horbach – Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka; Her Excellency, Rita Giuliana Mannella – Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka; Mr. Dinesh Weerakkody – Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka; Mr. Neel Bandara Hapuhinne – Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government; other dignitaries from the government and foreign missions, eminent business leaders in corporates, conglomerates, MNCs and SMEs, and partners in the end-to-end value chain of the FMCG sector, together with the Board and senior management of Unilever Sri Lanka.

Addressing the audience, Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson and Managing Director of Unilever Sri Lanka said, “Partnership is a word often taken for granted but it is this word that has enabled us to operate during times of trial. This is why we believe in the power of winning together. Many of us could have been extinct if some of us didn’t play their role. In fact, we would not have been able to operate if not for our distributors, bankers, suppliers, logistics providers, retailers, media houses and the list goes long. Partnership is a closely woven web, for if the smallest partner cannot operate, our entire value chain will come to a standstill. This is why we believe in the power of winning together. It is up to us all, to come together as a force for good, as a force for positive change to make our nation great again.  Because together we are stronger.

Ms. Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson and Managing Director – Unilever Sri Lanka, addressing the gathering.

From Left to Right: Hon. (Dr.) Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; and Mr. Douglas Sonnek, Deputy Chief of Mission – US Embassy in Sri Lanka.

From Left to Right – Ms. Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson and Managing Director – Unilever Sri Lanka; Mr. Bathiya Dayaratne, Customer Development Director – Unilever Sri Lanka; Mr. Pasanda Yapa Abeywardena, Chairman – Lanka Sathosa Ltd; Mr. Dilith Jayaweera, Chairman – TV Derana; Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairman – John Keells Holdings PLC; and Mr. Buddika Madhahewa, CEO & Managing Director – Swarnakalum Group (Pvt) Ltd.

From Left to Right: Mr. Sidath Pananwala, Assistant General Manager Corporate Banking – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC; Mr. Sanath Munatunge, Managing Director and CEO – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC; Mr. Halin Hettigoda, Assistant General Manager International Banking – Sampath Bank PLC; Mrs. Madhuka Jayasekera, Finance Controller – Unilever Sri Lanka; Mrs. Manoji Hettigoda, Chief Manager Corporate Credit – Sampath Bank PLC; and Mrs. Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Senior Deputy General Manager International Trade & Credit Control – Sampath Bank PLC.