Luxury Sri Lanka hotelier, Uga is working hard to change the face of hospitality in the island nation, where women are significantly underrepresented.
Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, Uga General Manager People and Culture Russel Clements says within the Sri Lankan hospitality sector, women account for less than 10 percent of the workforce – a statistic Uga plans on changing.
And it starts, according to Clements, with the conservative mindset of parents and partners.
“Parents’ perceptions regarding safety and the distance involved in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry often discourage them from supporting their daughters in joining the field, and this applies to husbands once women are married as well.”
He says there are several things that need to happen to ensure more women are represented in leading roles, including shifting those parental perceptions, and “the industry must prioritise and invest in learning and development programs to nurture women’s leadership potential”.
He says Uga is working hard to do this, and over the past four years they’ve “made substantial progress in increasing female representation across their properties and are working toward a target of 20 percent female representation across all their hotels”.
Dilrukshi Priyadarshani is just one example of how the luxury boutique hotelier is promoting women in the industry.
A mum, who was born and raised in the Sri Lanka village of Athungma, Priyadarshani joined five-star Uga Ulagalla Resort in housekeeping before several promotions saw her promoted to Front Office Manager.
She says her journey has been worthwhile, but not without its challenges.
“I always knew that every task, no matter how small, was a stepping stone toward something bigger. What has brought me to where I am today is my commitment to learning, growing, and always giving my best.
“No task was too small or insignificant for me; I used each opportunity to develop skills, build relationships, and demonstrate my value.”
Priyadarshani says there needs to be a fundamental shift toward gender equality, particularly in leadership roles to ensure more women have the opportunities she has been fortunate to have.
“Women should have equal opportunities to progress in their careers without facing bias or discrimination and work-life balance should be prioritised with more flexible working hours and additional support for women balancing family and career.”
As for those who want to follow in her footsteps?
“To any woman who aspires to follow in my footsteps, I say: stay patient and persistent. Don’t be afraid to start from the bottom because every experience teaches you something valuable.
“Seek mentorship, take initiative and continuously strive to improve yourself. Your attitude and drive, more than your starting point, will determine your future. Never underestimate the power of hard work, self-belief, and perseverance. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.”
For more information, see Uga.
