Special award winners honoured at DPL’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards 2025 

Dipped Products PLC (DPL) marked its 50th anniversary by recognising rubber latex smallholders whose partnership has been central to the company’s journey and to Sri Lanka’s export economy.

The celebration, held in the heart of one of the country’s most vital rubber latex collection regions, brought together rubber smallholders, latex collectors, Smallholder Entrepreneur Associations, transport partners, DPL leadership and employees.

A total of 66 awards were presented, including 50 to individual latex entrepreneurs, 12 to associations and 4 to transport partners.

The honours reflected diversity and resilience, with recognition extended to women and individuals overcoming physical challenges.

Among the recipients, five individuals received special honours for their contributions: D. Mallika Wijesooriya (Longstanding Smallholder), H. M. G. Wijethunga (Highest Latex Contributor), K. M. N. S. Tharangika (Outstanding Female Smallholder), R. M. Ajith Kumara (Resilience in Action), and R. M. Wasantha Bandara (Best Male Smallholder).

Addressing the gathering, DPL Managing Director Pushpika Janadheera said,“We are grateful for the support of our latex entrepreneurs, partners in DPL’s journey who make a vital contribution to Sri Lanka’s export economy. The world relies on the quality that begins here, in our grassroots communities. These honours reflect DPL’s longstanding engagement with rubber-growing communities and stand as a tribute to their resilience and the value they create for the nation.”

Today, the latex collected in villages across Monaragala and other regions forms the base of DPL’s premium value-added hand protection exports. This model has effectively linked rural villages to the world, with natural latex from smallholder farmers forming the basis of hand protection solutions recognised in supply chains across more than 70 countries.