Taking a bold and future-focused step in the journey of empowering Sri Lankan women, NDB Bank, together with News 1st, is proud to unveil the next phase of the Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana initiative, a long-term sustainability model aimed at nurturing and advancing women entrepreneurs. Building on the remarkable success of the Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana Awards, this new chapter is designed not only to celebrate women’s achievements but also to catalyse meaningful economic transformation through structured support and upskilling.
The launch event held on the 29th of May 2025, was graced by distinguished guests and media representatives. “As part of our sustainable efforts through Vanithabhimana, we are proud to launch this programme that will equip women entrepreneurs with critical skills for business growth,” stated the CEO of NDB Bank during the ceremony. “With over 140 women entrepreneurs already registered since opening applications, this initiative demonstrates the strong demand for structured entrepreneurial development in Sri Lanka.”
This sustainable model has been carefully developed with a five-year vision, aligning with the nation’s critical priorities such as job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and enabling women to scale their businesses to international standards.
As the inaugural phase of this programme, NDB Bank will launch the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Course (Vanitha Vyawasayakathva Athwela), a three-month programme meticulously designed to provide practical knowledge and real-world insights to aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs. This course will be conducted free of charge and will cover a range of key areas, including Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Accounting, Sales, and Marketing, delivered by experienced professionals and industry experts.
Through this initiative, participants will not only gain vital business acumen but also access a supportive ecosystem that encourages resilience, innovation, and growth. The course will be available to any enthusiastic women entrepreneurs eager to elevate their business.
NDB Bank invites women from across Sri Lanka to take part in this transformative journey. By participating in the Vanithabhimana upskilling programme, women will be equipped with the tools needed to become strong contributors to the national economy and respected leaders in their fields.
The Vanithabhimana up-skilling programme cements NDB’s role not just as a banking partner but as a nation-building institution devoted to creating lasting, positive impact through empowerment and inclusion. For more details visit https://www.ndbbank.com/banking-on-women/vanithabhimana or contact Thishani at 0765699251.
NDB Bank is the fourth-largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. NDB was named Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for Corporates at Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024 and was awarded Domestic Retail Bank of the Year – Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Domestic Project Finance Bank of the Year by Asian Banking and Finance Magazine (Singapore) Awards 2024. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group, comprising capital market subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services powered by digital banking solutions.
