Dona Balasuriya

I had the pleasure of speaking to the NTB Recoveries Team a few weeks ago.

I’m always grateful for every opportunity to share my knowledge, experiences, and insights and, in some small way, contribute to the growth and betterment of others.

Thank you to the NTB team for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to connect, share, and learn together.

Some moments deserve a shout-out, even if it comes a little late.

When I was seven months pregnant, I had the privilege of being invited as the Chief Guest at the Union Assurance awards ceremony celebrating women in the Piliyandala region.

I was truly moved listening to the stories of these incredible women the challenges they have faced, the sacrifices they have made, and the resilience with which they continue to persevere.

It reminded me of how much we, as women, navigate while pursuing our careers and dreams, while also caring for our families and children.

I also shared a little of my own entrepreneurial journey and the challenges I have faced. Despite our different journeys, I realised how many of us face the same hurdles on the path to professional success.

Thank you, Madhushani and Union Assurance PLC, for the kind invitation and for creating a platform that celebrates the strength and achievements of women.

Keynote Address at the Year-End Meeting of Marketers TMC

What made this experience so special wasn’t just the opportunity to speak, but the incredible culture of the club. The energy in the room was inspiring, and it was wonderful to witness the genuine friendship and warmth shared by every member.

In my keynote, I spoke on The Myth of Readiness, the idea that waiting for the perfect moment often keeps us from making progress. Growth begins when we choose action over perfection.

Thank you, Marketers TMC, for your warm hospitality and for creating such an uplifting community.

I had the privilege of helping 30 young girls from Visaka Vidyalaya complete a Youth Leadership Programme designed to help them become more confident and effective communicators.

Through the Pinnacle Advanced Toastmasters Club, it was a joy to watch them grow in confidence, find their voices, and discover the power of expressing themselves.

These girls have so much potential, and I sincerely hope this programme has encouraged them to dream big, believe in themselves, and speak with confidence.

Seeing their transformation over a period of 10 weeks has been truly rewarding. They have the potential to reach the moon, and I hope they always have the courage to aim that high.

What an incredible and rewarding journey it has been over the past year as President of the Pinnacle Advanced Toastmasters Club. My heart is truly full of gratitude to my Executive Committee for their hard work and for consistently going above and beyond in service of our members. We shared many moments of laughter, learning, and growth, making it an eventful year that we can all be proud of.

They say a club is only as good as its members, and that is exactly what Pinnacle stands for members striving for growth and pushing themselves to reach their full potential. With high standards and tight deadlines, we continuously pushed boundaries, challenged ourselves, and grew together. I truly could not have asked for a better club experience.

I would also like to thank my husband, as always, for being my rock. You always say, “Your success is my success,” and thank you for standing by those words. I am equally grateful to my mother for always having my back. It was not easy being a toddler mum, managing work, and serving as President all at once, I would have been nothing without your support.

Signing off as President of the Pinnacle Advanced Toastmasters Club.

Recently uncovered pictures from 3 years ago!!! ♥️

What a full-circle moment!

Getting my hands on the Cosmopolitan Reinvention Edition and being part of its incredible launch was an absolute joy!

From seeing Umaria Sinhawansa grace the cover (what a power move!) to flipping through pages filled with iconic personalities, beauty inspo, and pure nostalgia… I was instantly transported back to those teen days of collecting posters and celeb clippings.

The launch event? A whole vibe. Surrounded by bold, ambitious, passionate women each redefining what reinvention means in their own way.

Major kudos to the Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka team for curating something so fresh, empowering, and full of energy. Here’s to more fearless stories and fierce covers!

It was an emotional yet proud moment to be part of the launch of a new “Child-Friendly Space” by .sl (CPF), This new centre is a sanctuary for children to feel protected, heard, and supported.

skorala and her team at CPF do inspirational work for the safety, security and the rights of children across Sri Lanka.

In a country where over 9,400 child abuse cases were reported in 2023 alone, this milestone couldn’t be more urgent or meaningful.

The launch was graced by: Hon. Justice Shirani Thilakawardena, US Dept. of Justice representatives, Chairperson of Aitken Spence, Ms. Stashani, Juvenile court magistrates, Clergy, Professors from Harvard and many other lawyers and dignitaries.

Honoured to have been part of this step forward. Let’s keep working to ensure every child grows up in a protected environment.

I had such a wonderful time being the Keynote Speaker at the KDU Toastmasters Club’s 13th installation ceremony.

The room was full of bright, energetic youth brimming with talent and potential. I was happy to share a few thoughts on a simple but powerful part of leadership - “Caring for and Empathizing with your team”.

I’m truly grateful for the chance to spend the evening with these amazing undergrads who are all set to take on the world.