Business
SLID’s Young Directors Forum to refresh the boardroom with young talent
The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) recently launched its Young Directors Forum (YDF) with the aim of grooming young talent to take up positions in the Boardrooms of corporate Sri Lanka as well as in the public sector/State-Owned Enterprises. As its inaugural event, the YDF organized an online panel discussion on the topic of “Refreshing the Boardroom: In Conversation with Young Directors”. The panel comprised of Anushka Wijesinha -Economist, Independent Non-executive Director of Seylan Bank, HNB Finance, Fairfirst, Co-founder/Chairman of the Center for Smart Future, Chairman of the YDF and moderator of the panel, Ms. Annika Senanayake-Director of several listed companies and Director, Corporate Planning, IWS Holdings, Sanjay Jayawardena-Founder/Director, Spirit Kitchens, Deshal De Mel-Research Director, Verite Research and Director of several listed companies including Sampath Bank and Janashakthi, all being working committee members of the YDF together with Charaka Perera – Director/COO of Stafford Motor Company-Council Member of SLID and Council representative for the YDF.
“The YDF was established to provide a forum for Young Directors and future Boardroom leaders to engage their minds on topics of interest in performing their roles more efficiently and effectively. The YDF wants to reach out to directors and director aspirants of different types of companies in Sri Lanka – listed and private companies, startups, and eventually public sector SOEs as well” said Anushka Wijesinha.
Responding to a question from the moderator as to why companies are bringing young directors to their boards, panelist Sanjaya Jayawardena said that this occurs due to the need for diversity in helping companies make better decisions. “In addition to the diversity of thought, experience, background, gender, and ethnicity, age is a key element in the notion of diversity. Young Directors are better positioned to provide a fresh perspective, a fresh way of thinking and are less likely to resist change. Today we see a lot of businesses, industries going through rapid change, which has been further accelerated due to the pandemic, and we see companies recognizing the importance of looking at things through a wider lens and getting the right mix in the boardroom”.
“A fair amount of vigor goes into the selection of directors in the financial services sector and when a director is brought in, it would not be because somebody is young, but there would always be a specific skill such as risk management, finance, technology, etc. and she/he is expected to lead with that skill. There is a lot of value that comes with the diversity of thoughts and the ability to bring in different perspectives. There is also an expectation that young directors would have a better grip on newer technologies or newer trends in business such as payment-related technology, fintech, and eCommerce in the financial services sector” said Deshal De Mel bringing about a financial sector perspective.
“Boards are responsible for driving its business forward, keeping it under prudent control, and creating value for all its stakeholders. With digital transformation increasing complexity in business, we are looking at new skills and oversight with more companies engaging with data mining, AI, digital applications just to transform the way that they do business and provide their clientele with more digital-centric solutions. Young directors who fall into the category of millennials are digital natives, and inherently by the age factor, they have more insight and possibly exposure to the digital sphere. This enables them to provide different perspectives especially relating to the fast-moving technologies that could add value to a wide variety of industries” said Annika Senanayake expressing her views.
Describing the rationale of SLID to initiate the YDF, Charaka Perera said that youth leadership has been seen in all sectors from politics, corporate leadership, NGOs, startups, etc. and that with the rise of youth leaders in Boardrooms, young directors have repeatedly proven themselves. “The primary focus of the YDF is grooming the future Board leadership of corporate Sri Lanka. We believe that through the YDF, we can identify the needs of the younger generation and young Directors who are about to step into the Boardroom for the 1st time and develop and roll out programs that will fulfill these needs” he added.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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