Nishani Fernando

EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Asia-Pacific Class of 2025
Managing Director, Manisha Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka

Nishani Fernando stands at the helm of Manisha Exports (Pvt) Ltd as its Managing Director, steering the Sri Lankan company to prominence in the exports industry. Specializing in a wide array of coconut-based products, from mattress fiber to cocopeat blocks, Manisha Exports has woven a global tapestry of trade, reaching markets from China to Canada. 

Incorporated on 9 February 2017, Nishani's vision capitalized on the "coconut triangle" area's potential and addressed the high unemployment rate among women. Today, Manisha Exports supports a vast network of Sri Lankan women earning from home and small-scale fiber manufacturers. Nishani's leadership has not only spurred economic growth but also championed social empowerment. 

Nishani's strategic vision is to position Manisha Exports as the foremost innovator and trusted global leader in sustainable growing mediums. Aiming to revolutionize the horticulture industry, she is committed to eco-friendly practices, enhancing profitability and streamlining the supply chain. With a focus on North American and Asian markets, Nishani envisions a greener and more prosperous agricultural future. 

A law graduate from the University of East Anglia, Nishani's expertise has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Woman Exporter of the Year at the Presidential Exports Awards and multiple honors from the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainability and female empowerment have established her as a luminary in international trade.