First-ever DEI Champion Awards celebrates inclusive business excellence

DEI Champions 2025 MSME Sector – H Connect International

DEI Champions 2025 Corporate Sector – Dialog Axiata

Dialog Axiata and H Connect International emerged as the big winners at the Grand Finale of the inaugural DEI Champion Awards 2025, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme.

Held at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams recently, Dialog was crowned as the corporate sector champion, while H Connect was adjudged champion in the MSME sector. 

The event marked a national first – a platform solely dedicated to recognising and celebrating Sri Lankan businesses – both corporates and MSMEs – that are integrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) into their core operations, workplace cultures and leadership practices.

Held under the patronage of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, National Integration Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Krishan Balendra, the event brought together over 250 participants, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners, reaffirming the growing national focus on inclusive and responsible business.

DEI Champion Awards 2025 were presented across national, regional and thematic categories, covering areas such as gender equality, youth and inclusive hiring, disability inclusion and workplace culture. Special Jury Awards were also presented to recognise the outstanding efforts that may not fall within standard categories but exemplify a strong commitment to DEI.

Over 160 applications were received from companies representing a wide range of sectors – from manufacturing and hospitality to ICT, retail and agriculture – demonstrating a growing interest in embedding DEI principles into business strategy and everyday practice.

As part of a broader initiative titled Advancing DEI in SMEs, implemented by the Ceylon Chamber in collaboration with the SCOPE programme, co-financed by the European Union and German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by GIZ Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Justice and National Integration Ministry, the award ceremony culminated months of awareness-raising and engagement across the island, bringing together over 700 participants from the public, private and civil society sectors.