Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL), the proud owner of flagship brand Munchee and a subsidiary of the CBL Group, awarded the Best Sustainability Project Award for its initiative to develop retailer and distributor partners - Senehasin Jayamaga, at the Best Corporate Citizen Awards 2024, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
The accolade highlights CBL’s dedication to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly women entrepreneurs, while fostering sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka.
“Winning the Best Sustainability Project Award for Senehasin Jayamaga is a significant milestone for CBL,” said Mr. Nalin Karunaratne, Chief Executive Officer of Ceylon Biscuits Limited. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to driving sustainable development within our value chain and empowering communities, especially women entrepreneurs, to thrive. As we expand the project, we remain steadfast in building a more inclusive and resilient economy."
Launched in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the Senehasin Jayamaga project is a transformative initiative designed to equip SMEs with essential business and financial skills. Since its inception in 2017 and expansion in 2020, the project has directly benefited over 10,000 participants, including retailers and distributors across Sri Lanka.
Women-owned businesses have been a central focus, enabling female entrepreneurs to achieve economic independence and significantly enhance their contributions to the FMCG sector.
As a result, female-owned distribution businesses increased by 313%, while female participation in distribution operations grew by 128%. The project reached participants island-wide through both physical sessions and online platforms.
The programme’s impact is reflected in the success stories of beneficiaries like Savani Chandrathilake, a small business owner from Kiribathgoda.
“The training I received through CBL’s Senehasin Jayamaga programme has been life-changing. I learned to manage my finances better and
adopt modern marketing strategies, which boosted my sales. Today, I feel empowered to grow my business and make a meaningful contribution to my community,” shared Ms Chandrathilake.
“Our vision for Senehasin Jayamaga goes beyond providing training,” said Srilal Wijesekara, General Manager of Channel Development at CBL. “We aim to create a sustainable ecosystem where SMEs can flourish, innovate, and contribute to a stronger national economy. This award inspires us to keep driving meaningful change.”
CBL Group is also honoured to be recognised among the Top 10 Corporate Citizens at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024.
Great achievement