Catalysts of Change Women Reach for Higher Ground

By Namalee Siriwardhane

Women can experience a vision of a brighter future for themselves in the workforce in areas of industry they may never have thought possible before now. Amari Colombo held ‘Catalysts of Change’ for two nights (March 12 and 24th) with Savithri Rodrigo. This was a powerful enterprise dedicated to advancing gender equality, empowering women, and igniting evocative discussions about equality across industries. The events on the 24th specifically created a dynamic platform for progress, collaboration, and actionable change.

The 24th was the closing night and concentrated on break-throughs in industries. From 5PM to 8:45 PM there was a series of compelling panel discussions, each highlighting women’s achievements in traditionally male-dominated sectors. 

With the need for gender equality becoming an ever more pressing situation, as most families are facing dire financial issues, Amari Colombo has created this transformative initiative to open up the possibility of new avenues of financial growth within the family structure. Located in the heart of Colombo, the hotel’s stylish spaces were the backdrop for this series of discussions, panel events, and motivations, designed to inspire change and propel women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated fields. The event showed how women are working together in various fields from the very top to the bottom in order to create a positive change, which in turn will lead to real-world impact.

“We are excited to bring ‘Catalysts of Change’ to Colombo, join thought leaders, trailblazers and pioneers,” said Indika Jayawardena, Hotel Manager of Amari Colombo. “Savithri Rodrigo and I have worked together to create this movement which seeks to elevate voices, transform and create a lasting impact.”

These engaging discussions covered critical topics, from ways to break barriers in male-dominated fields to showcasing the power of women in leadership roles, to communicating women’s needs to empowering each other to handle, multitask on the home front as well as work. This change is vital for not only female growth and empowerment, but also the growth of the entire structure of values, demands and understandings that include men and the family. 

The 24th was the closing night and concentrated on break- throughs in industries. From 5PM to 8:45 PM there was a series of compelling panel discussions, each highlighting women’s achievements in traditionally male-dominated sectors. The summit featured the following panels: 

• Aviation – Breaking Stereotypes (5:30 – 6:10 PM)

Panelists from SRILANKAN AIRLINES discussed their experiences navigating and overcoming challenges in the aviation industry. The panel included a female pilot, a digital expert, an aviation engineer, an airline hostess with over 25 years of experience as well as an airline engineer.  

• Foreign Affairs – Diplomacy and Women’s Participation (6:20 – 7:00 PM)

Led by Ms. Sashikala Premawardhane, Director General at the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, this panel delved into the critical role women now play more and more in diplomacy and political foreign affairs. "Ï have a bit of a success story about women in diplomacy. Sri Lanaka’s Foreign Service has about 187 officers right now of whom 121 are women,” said  Sashikala.

• Women Migration – Empowering Migrant Women (7:15 – 7:45 PM)

Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne, Head of Migration and Urbanization Policy Research at the INSTITUTE OF POLICY STUDIES, SRI LANKA, lead the discussion on empowering women through migration opportunities.  "Only about three million women are working. That works out to about 33% labour force participation whereas for men, there is a 67% participation level in the labour force… at the average level women are not serving in the labour market,” said Dr. Bilesha. 

• Shipping – Women in Leadership (7:45 – 8:05 PM)

Panelists such as Shehara De Silva, Managing Director of MCLARENS SHIPPING, and Swabha Wickramasinghe – Chairperson, SLANA & WORLDLINK SHIPPING, Colombo shared their leadership journeys in the traditionally male-dominated shipping industry.  “We are all part of this world and nothing, whether race, religion or gender could stand in the way of what we want to achieve. - A simple but powerful principal has kept us going: ethics, trust and hard work,” said Swabha. 

• Apparel – Inclusion and Innovation (8:05 – 8:25 PM)

Ms. Rajitha Jayasuriya, Director of Corporate Affairs at MAS HOLDINGS, highlighted how inclusion is driving innovation in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.

The evening closed with an interactive Q&A session and closing remarks, followed by a scrumptious ‘networking’ dinner at Ahāra.

Additionally, The Vibe Market in the Foyer was there to showcase a curated selection of sustainable, creative and beautiful women-led brands like Linen Atelier, Healing Island, and Made by Her, further championing the cause of female entrepreneurs and artisans.

In line with its core values, Amari Colombo will contribute part of the proceeds from the Catalysts of Change initiative to the Indira Cancer Trust, supporting women battling cancer in Sri Lanka. This is part of the broader ONYX For Planet initiative, which focuses on sustainability and social responsibility.