Ranganiy Hettiarachchi has bagged Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Ranganiy Hettiarachchi has bagged Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• September 15, 2022

I am Ranganiy Hettiarachchi, Founder/ Executive Director of Chesmi Trading Company Private Limited which has diversified its business, into Hospitality, Skincare and Telecommunication distribution industries in Sri Lanka.

Chesmi Trading Company Private limited is a limited liability company registered in year 2010 and the head office is at 21, Seibel Avenue, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. In 2010 we started the distribution of telecommunication services to areas in North and East of Sri Lanka and opened our branch in Ampara which generated employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in North and East.

After carrying out businesses for nearly 3 years in Telecommunication industry, a strategic decision was made to diversify into hospitality industry as tourism started to boom in the country.

As a result, a restaurant chain by the brand name of Taphouse by RnR was launched in Colombo and Galle since 2013, which obtained industry recognized awards for Food Safety in Year 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Taphouse by RnR has developed into one of the most prominent entertainment hubs in Sri Lanka creating direct and indirect opportunities in the community.

During Covid -19 pandemic in March 2020, where nature was giving a break to humankind, I wanted to see how to work together with Mother Nature to experience the best in life by giving focus to locally available natural resources. This prompted me to initiate research into natural skincare range and introduced Montlush to the market in year 2021. Montlush, is a brand that is committed to a truly holistic approach to skincare originating in Sri Lanka.

The wonderful heritage, rich historical traditions and natural beauty of this country has been an endless source of inspiration for the unique and innovative formulations that Montlush has lovingly created. Our range consists of luxurious and premium-quality natural handmade soaps, scrubs, lotions and body butters. At Montlush, ensuring that our customers receive products made with the finest of ingredients is at the heart of our mission.

To support this, we are ISO22716 certified and we are cruelty free skincare brand. We are currently in the process of obtaining ISO 9001 recognition as well.

I am 43 years old and mother of 13 years old son. I studied at Musaeus College Colombo 7 and received my Bsc in Business Management from University of London and became a Master in Business Administration in year 2012.

I am proud of being able to make a change in many Sri Lankans by creating employment and also introducing a nature friendly lifestyle to most of my them.

It is with great honor I accept the award for Women Entrepreneur of the Year given by Women icon associated with world women council powered by times women. Women entrepreneurs are facing challenges in many areas such as breaking the norms and standing on their own feet while managing and balancing her responsibilities as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and even as a grandmother.

It gives me courage and motivation knowing that after positively facing these challenges and reaching my goal that I am being recognized by Women icon powered by Times women for Entrepreneur of the year award 2022.