Dulani Guruge, Winner, ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur - Small Business 2019’ Award

5 February 2020 10:18 am Words : Indika Madapatha Sellahewa Photos : Nirmala Dhananjaya Bringing in the concept of Eco-friendly and sustainable accommodation options to the discerning, high-end travellers who visit Sri Lanka from across the globe, and strengthening employment outcomes of local communities, through her entrepreneurial business Flameback Eco Lodge, won Dulani the accolade of ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur - Small Business 2019’ at the “Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards - 2019. This is by no means her only feat. Starting as a management trainee in the tours sector and climbing the ladder to successive roles and learning first hand everything about the hotel and hospitality industry while gaining overseas experience and exposure in her chosen fields, she is also the director of Guruge Menik, a hugely successful gem mining and selling business, founded by her parents, where she now sells gems across the world on international trade mainly in USA, Dubai and hong kong and exhibits Sri Lanka’s precious gems in the Hong Kong annual trade fair.

Dulani, our readers would love to hear about your latest achievement of winning the award for ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur’ - Small Business at the "Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards - 2019. The Please enlighten us on how you achieved this.

‘Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards’ presented by Women in Management, IFC – A Member of the World Bank Group and the Government of Australia, recognized outstanding women excelling in their respective career sectors to boost sustainable economic growth. As Managing Director and Co-Founder of Flameback Eco Lodge, my focus is to provide a sustainable hospitality experience focusing on environment conservation and community involvement while attracting the experiential travelers to the country. We have also adapted eco-friendly initiatives in the hotel construction and operations as well as help to up lift the standard of living within the local community through employment opportunities, sourcing operational products and integrating them in hotel activities promoted to our clientele. I believe this unique concept which brings high-yield travelers to the country together with our eco-friendly initiatives contributed in me being recognized for this award. Please click on the link below to read full article.,

https://www.magzter.com/LK/Wijeya-Newspapers-Ltd./Lanka-Woman/Women’s-Interest/