HIP Celebrates International Women’s Day with Inspiration and Community Engagement

Hambantota International Port (HIP) marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women and encouraging greater female participation in Sri Lanka’s maritime and logistics sector.

Held under the global theme “Give to Gain,” the celebrations brought together HIP employees, students and community members for a day focused on confidence building, learning and appreciation.

The programme began with a Personality and Confidence Development session held at the HMC Auditorium and conducted by Rozanne Diasz, former Miss Sri Lanka Universe 2005 and a top 20 finalist at the Miss Universe pageant.

Drawing on her personal and professional experiences, Diasz delivered an engaging and motivational session encouraging participants to recognise their strengths, build confidence and pursue their ambitions.

In a move that extended the impact of the programme beyond the organisation, HIP invited more than 120 female students and teachers from nearby schools to participate alongside port employees. The initiative gave young women from the Hambantota region an opportunity to benefit from the interactive session and gain exposure to new possibilities for personal and professional development.

The celebrations concluded with a High Tea gathering at Shangri-La Hambantota, where HIP’s Executive Committee (EXCO), Operational Committee (OPCO) and female employees came together in a relaxed setting to celebrate the contributions of women within the organisation.

As a token of appreciation, each female employee received a special gift recognising her dedication and role in the port’s continued growth.

Women currently represent around 12% of HIP’s workforce, and the port continues to expand opportunities for female professionals across a wide range of roles including administration, finance, engineering, logistics and operations.

Through initiatives such as these, Hambantota International Port remains committed to promoting inclusivity, supporting the next generation of women professionals and contributing to a more diverse maritime industry in Sri Lanka.