GLOBAL CEO FORUM SUMMARY

The recent Global CEO Forum Sri Lanka took place at the Galadari Hotel, featuring over 350 prominent business leaders, including chairpersons, directors, CEOs, and other C-level executives.

The event centered around the themes of “Leadership in Turbulent Times” and “Shaping the Future of Business in Sri Lanka.” It was a privilege to have Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Kotaro Katsuki, Deputy Head of the Mission at the Japanese Embassy, as the Guest of Honour.

Distinguished keynote speakers included Ms. Hajar Alafifi, Chairperson of Unilever Sri Lanka; Mr. T. S. Prakash, President of the Indian CEO Forum, Sri Lanka; Mr. Christophe Lee from Huawei Sri Lanka; Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka; Mr. Thimira Godakumbura, Managing Director of Colombo Dockyard; Dr. D. M. A. Kulasooriya, Director-General of NIBM; Dr. Ranga Rodrigo, Head of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Moratuwa; Ms. Mimi Nicklin, CEO/Founder of Empathy Everywhere, Malaysia; and Mr. Hasitha Premaratne, Managing Director of Brandix.

Adding to the event’s prestige, Mr. R. C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, New Delhi, India, engaged in a keynote discussion. Subsequently, Mr. Jayantha Karunaratne, President of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Balaji Krishnammagaru, Managing Director of Medongo Health Pvt Limited, India, shared their success stories amid challenging circumstances.

Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri outlined the way forward, and Prof. Jayantha Dewasiri presented the citation of the late Mr. Merrill J. Fernando.

The panel discussion featured the participation of Mr. Revan Wickramasuriya, COO, Port City Commission; Mr. Ken Vijayakumar, President, CIPM; Ms. Zahara Ansari, Country Manager, AICPA & CIMA; Mr. Jehan Perinpanayagam, Chairman, SLASSCOM; Dr. Lakmal Fernando, Honorary Secretary, NCCSL; Dr. Dilhan Jayathilake, Honorary Secretary, SLIM; and Dr. Samantha Rathnayake Senior Consultant, PIM.