EDB Chairperson becomes first Sri Lankan woman to receive WIFTS Lifetime Achievement Award

WIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards 2016 was held at the Millennium Hotel in London UK among a gathering of international women achievers on 2nd of July. 

The Women’s International Film and Television Showcase (WIFTS) is an organization dedicated to bringing women together from all walks of life through the art form of film and television, business, the humanities and the environment.

The 2016 WIFTS Lifetime Award for Business and Economics was awarded to Indira Malwatte who holds the key post of Chairperson and Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), a vital role in the world business stage. 

Indira has committed nearly 40 years of her life to export development and promotions both in the state and private sector locally and internationally, with many achievements to her career. 
Elspeth Tavares, Founder and Executive Director of The WIFTS said, “The Sri Lankan government’s appointment of Indira Malwatte to this crucial role as the country expands its horizons on trade is commendatory.” 

Indira was among 30 other outstanding women from all over the world who were considered by the WIFTS selection committee as possessing and promoting the qualities of Commerce and Creativity-Passion and Integrity-Equality and not Hierarchy who attended the Honoree Luncheon in celebration of “Raising the Bar” in their respective fields and as outstanding examples of “individuality” so that others can be inspired. 

The WIFTS Foundation firmly believes that until global society recognizes equality in gender, that it is important to “celebrate individuality” so that the issue of gender will be of no consequence. As a result of the link forged with WIFTS, the EDB is to collaborate with WIFTS on SME businesses run by women to be taken internationally through their website and other social platforms. EDB will also make use of this opportunity to seek advice from WIFTS to formulate a strategy to further the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and EDB’s desire to promote Sri Lanka as a film location on the international canvas as part of Sri Lanka’s drive of export 
of services.