Inclusive entrepreneurship – a smart investment

Promoting and including entrepreneurs with disabilities in mainstream economic activity is not just a matter of charity, it's a smart investment in the country's economic development - Manique Gunaratne

- BY RANDIMA ATTYGALLE

'DISABILITY need not be an obstacle to success,' said theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, Stephen Hawking.

True to his words, the Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of the Employers' Federation of Ceylon (EFC) headed by Manique Gunaratne, assists local entrepreneurs with disabilities to find income-generating opportunities through their own home-industries. Ranging from handicrafts, packaged food, eco-friendly products to fashion accessories, their enterprises not only reflect their skill and innovation, but also mark a step towards economic self-reliance and social inclusion. "Entrepreneurs with disabilities across Sri Lanka are demonstrating remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination in exploring their own income-generating opportunities. Yet, these entrepreneurs often face systemic barriers in reaching wider markets due to limited visibility and access to sales platforms," says Gunaratne.