Dialog and MAS Foster Workplace Inclusivity with Enabler Programme 2024

Thanuja Jayawardene, General Manager - Women’s Empowerment, Advocacy and Code of Conduct, MAS Holdings; Asanga Priyadarshana, Head of Sustainability and Group Chief of Risk and Compliance, Dialog Axiata PLC; Nemanthie Kooragamage, Director - Group Sustainable Business, MAS Holdings; Li San Lim, Group Chief Operating Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Desamanya Mahesh Amalean, Co-Founder and Chairman, MAS Holdings; Supun Weerasinghe, Director/ Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC; Sandra De Zoysa, Group Chief Customer Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC; Amanthi Perera, General Manager - Social Sustainability, MAS Holdings; Chalani Marasinghe, Assistant Manager - Sustainable Business, MAS Holdings; Tharusha Wanigasekera, Unit Manager - Digital Innovation and Inclusion, Dialog Axiata PLC; Senuthi Mahadevan - Intern, Group Sustainability, Dialog Axiata PLC, together with the participants of the Enabler Programme.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka's #1 connectivity provider, and MAS Holdings, an apparel manufacturing and technology conglomerate, are celebrating the successful conclusion of the Dialog MAS Enabler Programme 2024, demonstrating their commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering persons with disabilities. Initially launched in 2023, the second iteration of the programme was held from 2nd to 15th July 2024, designed to significantly enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, provide them with valuable workplace exposure, and educate potential employers on the benefits of integrating employees with disabilities into their workforce.

Fourteen undergraduates, graduates, and students undergoing professional or vocational qualifications gained firsthand exposure to workplace culture through a comprehensive corporate immersion programme, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional application, and enhancing their readiness for future employment. Additionally, the programme aimed to create awareness among potential employers about the benefits of integrating persons with disabilities into their workforce, challenging preconceived notions and promoting inclusivity in hiring practices.

Throughout the duration of the programme, participants spent one week each at Dialog and MAS, engaging across corporate offices, manufacturing units, and customer-facing/ service centres, gaining valuable insights into diverse facets of corporate operations. To facilitate a smooth transition into the corporate environment, participants also received briefings on corporate culture. Each session encompassed a blend of theoretical learning and practical experiences, enabling participants to understand the dynamics of corporate functioning and acquire skills essential for professional growth. The programme culminated in presentations where participants shared their learnings and recommendations with Dialog and MAS, offering valuable insights into their experiences and suggestions for enhancing inclusivity in the workplace.

Asanga Priyadarshana, Head of Sustainability and Group Chief of Risk and Compliance of Dialog Axiata PLC said, "We extend our sincere gratitude to MAS for their invaluable collaboration and steadfast dedication to advancing inclusive solutions both within the workplace and beyond. This initiative underscores our belief in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion, challenging stereotypes and paving the way for meaningful change in the corporate landscape. We are proud to pioneer initiatives that not only empower individuals with disabilities, but also educate and inspire our broader community to embrace diversity as a cornerstone of corporate excellence and social progress."

Group Sustainable Business Director at MAS Holdings, Nemanthie Kooragamage stated, “Over the last 35 years, MAS has aimed to create inclusive workplaces for our diverse workforce. Our work includes empowering colleagues with disabilities by focusing our efforts in the four areas of employ, enable, engage and empower, based on global best practices in this space. We are happy to take the learnings from the first year of the Dialog MAS Enabler Programme to create a more elevated offering for the students this year, as well as better prepare ourselves to cater to the evolving workforce of the future.”