COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, August 6, 2025 (ePRESS) – Dialog Axiata and H Connect International emerged as top winners at the Grand Finale of the first-ever DEI Champion Awards 2025, held on August 5 at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams in Colombo.
Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme, the event marked a major milestone in recognising Sri Lankan companies that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in business.
Dialog Axiata was named Champion in the Corporate Sector, while H Connect took the top prize in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) category.
This national-level awards platform – the first of its kind – celebrated companies that are embedding DEI into their operations, leadership, and workplace culture. The awards covered areas such as gender equality, youth and inclusive hiring, disability inclusion, and creating supportive workplace environments.
More than 250 participants attended the grand finale, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and international development partners, all showing growing support for inclusive business in Sri Lanka.
Over 160 companies from across industries – including manufacturing, hospitality, ICT, retail, and agriculture – submitted entries, reflecting the rising commitment to making workplaces more inclusive and equitable.
In addition to the national awards, Special Jury Awards were presented to recognise companies making exceptional efforts that go beyond standard categories.
The awards were part of a wider initiative called “Advancing DEI in SMEs”, led by the Ceylon Chamber along with the SCOPE programme. The initiative is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, and implemented by GIZ Sri Lanka with the Ministry of Justice and National Integration.
The programme has so far reached over 700 participants island-wide, helping businesses, civil society, and government bodies come together to promote peace, fairness, and equal opportunity in Sri Lanka’s business environment.
The DEI Champion Awards 2025 signaled a strong message: Sri Lankan businesses are ready to lead with purpose and inclusivity.
