The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) successfully concluded its International Women’s Day celebration programme, EmpowHER, on 31 March 2026 at the Sri Lanka Olympic House, bringing together women coaches, mentors, and champions from across the island in a powerful celebration of leadership, contribution, and impact in sport.
Aligned with this year’s theme of the International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain,” the initiative underscored the transformative power of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and collective growth within Sri Lanka’s sporting ecosystem.
A total of 74 participants representing Colombo, Puttalam, Kandy, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Badulla, Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara, and Anuradhapura took part in the programme, reflecting a strong and diverse national presence committed to advancing women in sport. The programme was specifically designed to recognize and empower coaches, acknowledging their vital role in shaping athletes and strengthening the future of sport in Sri Lanka.
President of NOC Sri Lanka, Mr. Suresh Subramaniam, emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “EmpowHER stands as a powerful reminder that the true strength of sport lies not only in performance, but in the people who shape it. This programme has celebrated and empowered the remarkable women coaches and mentors across Sri Lanka who continue to give selflessly of their time, knowledge, and passion to uplift others.
“The diversity and commitment shown by participants from across the island reflects a growing movement towards greater inclusion, leadership, and opportunity for women in sport. Through meaningful knowledge-sharing, interactive engagement, and recognition of excellence, EmpowHER has reinforced the spirit of ‘Give to Gain’, where investing in people creates lasting impact for generations to come.
At NOC Sri Lanka, we remain committed to fostering an environment where women in sport are supported, valued, and given every opportunity to lead, inspire, and succeed.”
Empowering Women Who Shape Sport
Chairperson of the Gender Equity Committee of NOC Sri Lanka and Vice President of NOC Sri Lanka, Ms. Niloo Jayatilake, delivered a deeply moving reflection on the purpose of the programme, highlighting the often unseen yet invaluable contributions of women in sport.
“We organized this programme not just to mark International Women’s Day, but to honour the women who show up, the women who give their time, knowledge, encouragement, and belief, often asking for very little in return.
Coaches and mentors are at the heart of sport. They see potential in athletes before the athletes see it in themselves. When we invest in coaches, we invest in every athlete they will ever shape and every future they will influence.
At NOC Sri Lanka, we strongly believe that women must not only participate in sport, but lead it as coaches, administrators, decision-makers, and role models for the next generation.”
She further expressed her pride in the initiative, noting that EmpowHER successfully brought together coaches from across the country to both celebrate and recognize their contributions, while creating meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and growth.
Knowledge Sharing by Leading Experts
The programme featured impactful sessions delivered by distinguished resource persons from diverse professional and sporting backgrounds.
Entrepreneur and wellness advocate Ms. Mifra Sadikeen delivered an inspiring session on the topic, “Identity: The Ultimate Competitive Edge”, encouraging women to embrace authenticity, discipline, and resilience. Drawing from her work across media, entrepreneurship, and sport, including her role in launching Ironman 70.3 Colombo and producing the Raise The Bar Podcast, she emphasized the importance of personal branding and creating a presence that carries forward into into the next phase of a coach’s life.
Attorney-at-Law Dr. Duminda Silva, a senior banking executive and national-level sports administrator, spoke on the profound influence of coaches beyond performance. With over 28 years of multidisciplinary experience, he highlighted the responsibility of coaches as mentors and leaders who shape both athletic performance and personal development.
Professor Chathuranga Ranasinghe, a leading authority in sport and exercise medicine and Director of the Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of Colombo, emphasized the importance of holistic health and sustainable wellbeing. Drawing from his experience as Chief Medical Officer for Team Sri Lanka at the Asian Games 2023, he reinforced the need for coaches to integrate well-being into training environments in order to foster not only stronger athletes, but healthier individuals.
Interactive Learning and Practical Engagement
A key highlight of EmpowHER was its Interactive Activity Stations, designed to translate knowledge into practice through engaging, hands-on experiences. Participants rotated through four dedicated stations:
‘ Lifestyle Medicine, led by Professor Ranasinghe
‘ Influencing in Lifestyle and Fitness, conducted by Dr. Duminda Silva
‘ EmpowerHER Nutrition, facilitated by Ms. Mifra Sadikeen and Dr. Akila Nilaweera
‘ SafeSport Zone, led by Ms. Niloo Jayatilake and Mr. Gobinath Sivarajah
These sessions fostered collaboration, experiential learning, and peer exchange, reinforcing the importance of holistic development and shared knowledge.
Celebrating Excellence in Sport
A major highlight of the programme was the EmpowHER Awards Ceremony, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to sport.
Outstanding Female Coach – Ms. Indunil Pussella (Archery)
‘ Reflecting on her recognition, she stated that the award represents not only her journey, but the dedication and discipline of the athletes she has guided. She highlighted her role in developing national-level shooters and described the programme as “engaging, educational, and inspiring for coaches to believe in their own potential.”
Excellence in Athlete Development – Ms. Thamara Samandeepika OLY (Athletics)
‘ An Olympian and veteran coach, she noted her pride in developing athletes to national and international levels and commended the programme for recognizing women across sports through a well-organized and meaningful initiative.
The Voice of Gender Equity in Sport Awards recognized three individuals across different sports for their dedication to inclusion and empowerment:
‘ Mr. Amila Wijepala, Head Coach of the National Women’s Volleyball Team, for his contribution to developing female athletes and promoting equal opportunities in sport. He described the award as a significant milestone, highlighting his journey in building and mentoring players from grassroots to national level.
‘ Ms. Geetha Pathiranawasam for her extensive work in developing athletes in the Uva Province, producing national and international medalists in Athletics, and contributing to sport both as a coach and technical official.
‘ Ms. Shenali Herath for her holistic approach to athlete development in Aquatics and her contributions to coaching, media, and community engagement, particularly in promoting inclusive opportunities for women in sport.
These awards celebrated leadership, dedication, and the advancement of inclusivity across Sri Lankan sport.
Promoting Wellbeing and Community
The programme also featured a vibrant Zumba session led by Sharmila Rumee Thajudeen, Sri Lanka’s Zumba® Education Specialist and Founder of Burn Galaxy, promoting fitness, confidence, and community engagement among participants.
A Continued Commitment to Women in Sport
EmpowHER reflects the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka’s sustained commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women in sport while creating meaningful pathways for their growth, leadership, and influence.
By bringing together coaches and mentors from across the country, the programme has strengthened a national network built on shared knowledge, mutual support, and a collective vision for progress. It has reinforced the understanding that when women are empowered, the impact extends far beyond individuals to athletes, communities, and the future of sport itself.
As NOC Sri Lanka continues to champion equity and development, EmpowHER stands as a strong step forward in ensuring that women are not only present in sport, but are leading it with confidence, purpose, and lasting impact.
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