Celebrating Women’s Day, Serendib Flour Mills, the foremost flour mills in Sri Lanka manufacturing and distributing wheat flour under the ‘7 Star brand’, is shining a well-deserved spotlight on the remarkable women who stand as pillars of strength and are the backbone of the company’s operations – the unsung heroines nourishing the nation.
Hemani Gunethilake, Head of Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Department, once the sole female at the managerial level when she joined, now heads an expert team ensuring Serendib Mills products meet the highest quality standards. Despite the demanding responsibilities at work, she seamlessly balances her professional and personal life, ensuring her family’s well-being.
Hemani’s dedication and strong teamwork have enabled her to overcome work challenges, reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence. Her relentless dedication sees her wake at 4:30am to complete household duties before returning home only at 8:30pm. She shares, “With our strong teamwork, I am able to overcome any challenges, which gives me relief.”
Nadeesha Ruwanthi, the only female Assistant Manager in Operations and Warehousing, had to overcome self-doubts about navigating a traditionally male domain. Her dedication to nourishing the nation is a testament to the resilience and determination of female employees at Serendib Flour Mills.
Today, her commitment, self-confidence and strength in navigating her role, inspires her team daily. “As females, we are dedicated to nourishing the nation,” she affirms.
Reeta Priyanthi, Additive Mixing Operator, Production Department, accounts for a 22-year tenure at Serendib Flour Mills. She is the only female in her department among 150 employees, demonstrating perseverance and dedication.
As a widow and a mother, Reeta’s unwavering commitment has not only supported her family but has also enabled her to provide her daughter with a quality education. Reflecting her aspirations for her daughter’s future she says, “I have been able to educate my daughter through my job here. My dream is to ensure she achieves the best in life.”
Even business support roles such as Finance require the multi-tasking fortitude typical of women. Nipuni Priyadharshini, a Business Information Analyst, Finance Department, emphasizes the resilience and strength of female employees in managing work pressures and personal responsibilities.
Nipuni’s dedication to her family, especially during her father’s illness, reflects the unwavering commitment and pride that female employees bring to their roles in nourishing the community. She shares, “As females, we can bear any work pressures smoothly while our responsibilities grow. We should feel proud to provide quality products nourishing our community.”
Serendib Flour Mills salutes the resilience, dedication and strengths of its female employees across every department. These individuals also showcase how women remain the backbone of industries and serve as an inspiration to all, highlighting the pivotal role of women across communities in Sri Lanka.
